LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Shelf .Q,7„.. . 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



IRELAND IN '89, 



A BRIEF HISTORY OF IRELAND FROM THE 
UNION TO THE PRESENT DAY, 



TO WHICH IS ADDED 



R GRAPHIC SKETCH OF IRISH SCENERY, 
.MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 






^ 




l And nations have fallen, and thou still art young, 
Thy sun is but rising when others are set: 

And tho' slavery s gloom o'er thy morning hath hung 
A full moon of freedom shall beam 'round thee vet.' 

JN MoORE 

\ 

PROVIDENCE, R. I. 

E. L. FREEMAN & SON, PRINTERS. 
1889. 

COPYRIGHT 1890 BY REV D A QUINN 



TO THE READER. 



Judging from the ever increasing tide of ornate superficial literature 
that threatens to inundate the present age, a disinterested observer 
would naturally suppose the writers merely intended to please the eye, 
and to palm polished paper, elaborate typography and artistic bind- 
ing, a substitute for interesting facts or fiction. 

Writers of all ages, especially of the present, might be compared to 
two species of well-known insects; butterflies and ants. The butter- 
flies are indeed beautiful creatures, charming the eye as they flit from 
flower to flower, basking in the sunshine and sipping sweets which 
they did not make themselves; the ants, on the contrary, whilst being 
unseemly creatures, are tiny embodiments of thrift; they never pur- 
loin the fruit of other insects' labor, and their little homes, however 
humble, are the creation of their own industry. 

The Author respectfully begs to be classified with the latter. If 
the subsequent pages do not reveal a wealth of talents, they are at 
least innocent of plagiarism; everything that has been borrowed is 
carefully labeled with the author's name or the source from which it 
emanated.* 

In subscribing a nam de plume, instead of our patronymic, we 
merely washed to divorce ourselves from every patronage which rela- 
tives or religion might invest in a name. 

.* The Author begs to state that during the past year he has conversed 
with several Irish Representatives and witnessed many of the events lie 
described. 



4 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

If this little volume does not suit the popular taste, we have only to 
regret that the public appetite is indisposed to receive our humble 
offering. 

As a mother often fails to gratify the gustatory organs of her chil- 
dren, after they have already been satiated with coarser viands, so the 
Author does not expect to be able to please the capricious tastes of 
all, especially of those who have already been glutted with more solid 
literature. 

We are prepared to hear many of our male and female patrons pout- 
angly disparage the promiscuous deserts of our unpretending literary 
refreshments ; wishing they contained fewer bitter things, more ardent 
stimulants and saccharine ingredients. 

However, since it is not an individual or group of individuals, but 
a proscribed nation we have undertaken to serve, and in trying to fur- 
nish the inhabitants with what they most desire, have exercised our 
best endeavors, we hope the reader will appreciate — perhaps applaud 
•our efforts. Z. 

.Providence, R. I., Feb. 22d, 1S90. 



Chapter i 



R BIRD'S-EYE-YIEW OF THE GEOGRAPHY, CUMRTZ AND 
NUTURRE RESOURCES OF IRELAND. 



THIS prolific but unprosperous motherland of exiles,, 
dispersed throughout every habitable country of the 
globe, possesses patent advantages of climate, topo- 
graphy and soil, over every nation of Europe ; whilst no 
iVustralian colony, or American State or Territory cart 
compare with it in physical resources. 

The temperature of Ireland seldom rises above 75, or 
descends lower than 30 degrees Fahr., whilst Manitoba- 
(Canada) in the same, or nearly the same latitude, has 
but two seasons, winter and summer. Moscow is much 
colder during the months of winter and spring, while 
the Ural mountains of Russia, in lower latitude, are 
perennially snow-capped. 

Those geographic lines that divide zones and hemi- 
spheres do not always indicate climate or temperature. 

Ireland and the British Isles owe their mild tempera- 
ture to some other influence, perhaps to that of the Gulf- 
stream, rather than to their geographical position. 

In the map of the world, Ireland lies between 51 26' 
and 55 21' N. Lat., and 5 26' and io° 29' W. Long. 



6 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

Its adjacency to Great Britain is commercially import- 
ant, the distance from Kingston to Holyhead being only 
64 miles, whilst Fortpatrick in Scotland is but 2i| miles 
from Donoughadee in Ireland. The country is divided 
into four provinces which are subdivided into 32 coun- 
ties, of which twelve belong to Leinster in the East,, 
nine to Ulster in the North, six to Munster in the South 
and five to Connaught in the West. On account of 
their political union and physical proximity, Ireland, 
England and Scotland have sometimes been called 
"sister kingdoms." The Maid of Erin, however, has 
always disclaimed this alleged consanguinity, justly re- 
garding the Lion and Unicorn as of different genesis 
and gender. 

The extreme length of Ireland, from Fair Head in 
Antrim, to Mizen Head in Cork, is about 300 miles ; 
and its breadth from Howth Head in Dublin to Slyne 
Head in Galway is about 170 miles ; its area, comprising 
32,524 sq. miles, (of which 711 are water) is 516 sq. miles 
less than the State of Maine. Its highest mountain is 
3,414 feet above the level of the sea ; and its largest 
river (the Shannon) is 254 miles long; its largest lake 
(Lough Neagh) covers a surface of 98,255 acres. 

The Irish harbors are amongst the most commodious 
and finest in the world ; of these, fourteen are capable 
of holding the largest ships afloat ; it possesses about 
the same number sufficiently deep for frigates, and from 
thirty to forty suitable for any purpose of commerce. 
Whilst Liverpool is 3,016 miles from New York, the 
cable distance from this latter port to Queenstown is 
only 2,726 miles ; Galway harbor is still more favorably 
situated, being but 2,371 miles distant from New York, 
and 1656 miles from St. John's (Newfoundland), a trip 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 7 

any of our modern ocean racers could finish in or about 
three days. The patent odds of 290 miles which nature 
has allotted to Queenstown and 645 miles to Galway, 
(19 and 49 hours ordinary sailing) are advantages which 
merchants and mariners cannot fail to appreciate. 

In stormy weather, the passage of the St. George's 
channel is frequently more harassing to emigrants and 
tourists than the entire voyage across the Atlantic. As 
a majority of those who succumb to sea-sickness con- 
tinue so until they leave the ship or steamer, those who 
embark at Queenstown escape, during 18 or 20 hours, 
this nauseous affliction. Moreover, the dense fog which 
frequently overspreads the waters between England and 
Ireland often incites the maledicent capabilities of sail- 
ors and sea-captains. 

Although its seems paradoxical, what enhances the 
commercial and social condition of other nations ap- 
pears to militate against the prosperity of Ireland and 
the Irish people. During the past half or whole cen- 
tury, the progress of civilization and growth of foreign 
and domestic industry have not only magnified, but 
created great cities and commercial depots in other 
countries. It has been otherwise, if not the contrary, 
with Ireland. 

Before we refer to the decline of its commerce and 
agriculture, it will be pertinent to examine the popular 
statistics. 

In 182 1, the population of Ireland was a fraction less 
than 7,000,000; in 1845, it reached its highest estimate, 
8,174,124. Ever since, the population has gradually 
decreased. In 1851, the figures fell down to 6,552,385; 
in 1861, 5,795>5 6 4i in 1881, 5,174,836; at present, (1889) 
the population of Ireland does not exceed four and a 



8 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

half millions. Ever since the famine and failure of the 
potato crop, in '45 and '46, Ireland's population has de- 
creased over three and a half million (almost 40 per 
cent). From May, 185 1, to the end of December, '85, 
no fewer than 3,051,351 persons of both sexes and all 
ages emigrated from Irish shores; in T883, 105,743 left, 
whilst ever since, up to the present year (1889) an aver- 
age of 62,000 persons annually leave Ireland, of whom, 
the greater number, wend their way to the United 
States. Ireland, though possessing numerous natural 
advantages over the so-called sister kingdoms, is far 
beneath them in her exhibition of agriculture, manu- 
facture and commerce. That the commutative indus- 
tries of Ireland at the present day are pinioned, if not 
completely paralyzed, does not appear to be an over- 
strained allegation. 



Chapter ii 



AT the consummation of the "Union" in i 800-1801, 
Ireland was an important factor of the British Em- 
pire. Ireland's place in the national economy, at pres- 
ent, is very discouraging. Whilst England and Wales 
contribute to the national exchequer ^26,651,999, Ire- 
land's contribution is but ,£1,995, 55°. In the whole 
Island, there are but two cities (Dublin and Belfast) that 
are of any commercial importance. Indeed, whilst Bel- 
fast has amazingly progressed, all other important cities 
of Ireland have noticeably retrograded. Belfast, being 
the stronghold of Orangeism, owes its prosperity to the 
direct subsidy and sympathy of the British Government. 
The lakes and rivers of Ireland abound with fish; but 
this source of wealth is almost entirely neglected ; its 
mineral resources are abundant, and yet they have de- 
generated; its cattle and cereal productions should be 
trebly increased before the country could be considered 
in a normal condition. Scotland, whose barren plains 
and heather mountains were unnoticed by the eyes of 
the world of trade and traffic three quarters of a century 
ago, with a comparative scant population (1,625,000) has 
at present more than four million inhabitants, and will 
probably, in less than a year hence, exceed that of Ire- 
land. The Irish Liberator, Daniel O'Connell, gave a 
painful description of Ireland, in his day. He was ap- 
pealing for a real, and not a parchment " Union " when 
he spoke as follows: 
1* 



10 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

"England and Ireland have too long answered to the 
fable of the dwarf and giant, where the dwarf gets all 
the blows and the giant comes in for all the honor and 
plunder. Now, I tell you we will not endure that Ire- 
land should be the dwarf by the side of such a giant 
power as England! but raise her political standard to 
the stature of England and Scotland, and then — hurrah 
for the Union. For six hundred years the iron hoof of 
misrule has trampled upon the green isle of my lovely 
land. Her soil is fertile to exuberance, for no summer 
sun scorches it to sterility, nor does the winter chill it 
into barrenness — fertile to exuberance are her valleys — 
lovely are her rivers as they rush from the sides of her 
mountains and flow through her green plains — oh! not 
to bear on their bosoms the products of her commerce — 
would to Heaven it were; but exporting from her the 
very necessaries of life, while their banks are lined with 
a starving people. Her harbors are safe from every 
gale and open at every hour of every tide, and yet> 
though a solitary sail may occasionally be seen on her 
seas, commerce she has none. Her sons wander over 
every land as the accursed of Heaven, and they are to 
be found in every country toiling for that subsistence 
which is denied them at home, supported in their exile 
only by the exuberance of their native spirits, and sigh- 
ing in secret sorrow that they shall never more behold 
the land of their birth. Why is Ireland without com- 
merce? — Misgovernment. Why is she without manu- 
factures? — Misgovernment. Why are her sons starving 
among fields that teem with produce? — Misgovernment. 
I call upon you to rid your souls of the curse of acqui- 
escing in this mischief. I shall carry back to my coun- 
try a tale of joy. I shall tell my countrymen that I read 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 11 

in the countenances of the manly, shrewd, and deter- 
mined people of Scotland a determination to join us in 
struggling for our rights. I shall tell them that a nation 
never exceeded in the arts of war and in the bravery of 
her sons — I shall tell them that a country which, in the 
words of one of our countrymen who was an orator, 
soars in the full blaze of the arts and sciences 'with an 
eye that never winks and a wing that never tires ' — that 
you have vowed, and I now vow for you — Ireland shall 
be free." 

Dean Swift, writing of Ireland, said, "It is the poorest, 
of all civilized countries, with every advantage to make 
it one of the greatest." Lord Dufferin, when governor 
of India in '67, held similar views: " Some human agency 
must be accountable for the perennial desolation of a 
lovely and fertile land, watered by the fairest streams; 
caressed by a clement atmosphere; held in the embrace 
of a sea, whose affluence fills the richest harbors in the 
world; and inhabited by a race, valiant, tender, generous 
and gifted beyond measure with the power of physical 
endurance and blessed with the liveliest intelligence." 
The London "Times" once admitted that all the famines 
and financial depressions that occurred in Ireland were 
artificial. Lord Dufferin again wrote: "From Queen 
Elizabeth's reign (that is from 1600 to 1800) the various 
commercial confraternities of Great Britain never for a 
moment relaxed their relentless grasp on the trades and 
manufactures of Ireland. One by one, each of our nas- 
cent industries were either strangled in its birth, or 
handed over, gagged and bound to the jealous custody 
of the rival interests of England until every fountain of 
wealth was hermetically sealed; and even the traditions 



12 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

of commercial enterprise had perished through desue- 
tude." 

During the reign of Charles II, England positively 
restricted Irish trade and commerce. The Irish were 
thoroughly skilled in wool work, long before the Flemish 
refugees began to teach it to the English workers. 
Irish woolen stuffs had a national reputation before 
manufactured cloth was introduced into England. In 
the 13th and 14th centuries, the Popes of Rome used to 
send their agents to several Irish towns to purchase 
woolen fabrics for the construction of their gorgeous 
mantles. On state occasions, Irish frieze was eagerly 
bought up in Spain and Italy, and so prized that gar- 
ments made of it were entered in the "wills" of Floren- 
tine citizens as heirlooms. During the reigns of Edward 
III and Charles II, Irish cattle were permitted to be 
exported to England. The first navigation act of 1660 
placed Ireland and England on equal terms regarding 
exports and imports, but the amended navigation act of 
1663 failed to recognize Ireland. 

All exportations from Ireland to English colonies, 
except victuals, servants, horses and salt, were prohib- 
ited; the act likewise forbade the exportation of Irish 
cattle to England. But this was not the worst, for three 
years later a similar embargo was put upon Irish beef, 
pork, bacon, butter and cheese. In 1634, Earl Stafford, 
the then Lord-lieutenant of Ireland, wrote to King 
Charles I: "That all wisdom advises to keep this king- 
dom of Ireland as much subordinate and dependant 
upon England as possible; and withholding them from 
the manufacture of wool, which, unless otherwise direct- 
ed, I shall by all means discourage, and then enforcing 
them to fetch their clothing from thence and to take 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 13 

their salt from the King." This hint from Stafford ap- 
pears to have directed England's future policy. For in 
1673, forty years later, (Charles II's reign) Sir Wm. Tem- 
ple, the Irish Viceroy, proposed that the manufacture of 
woolens should cease in Ireland. Athough this proposal 
had not an immediate effect, a bill was soon after passed 
in the English House of Commons, (1699) forbidding 
all exportation from Ireland to England or elsewhere of 
her woolen manufactures. This annihilated forthwith 
this staple industry, and opened one of the most painful 
epochs of Irish history. The linen trade, which at the 
time, was not in a very flourishing condition was also 
discouraged. Mr. Lecky states that Irish linen manu- 
factures were excluded from England by the imposition 
of a duty of 30 per cent., whilst Ireland was not allowed 
to participate in the bounties granted for the exporta- 
tion of the best description of linen shipped from Great 
Britain to foreign countries. England also strove to 
make Scotland outrival Ireland in her linen trade, by 
the granting a government subsidy to Scotch manufac- 
tures. 

The cotton industry of Ireland was likewise dis- 
couraged by a duty of 25 per cent. A statute of George 
III made it a punishable offence to wear cotton fabrics 
unless they were made in Great Britain. The culture 
and capture of fish, the manufacture of glass, beer, malt 
— in fact, every lucrative industry poor Ireland* under- 
took to promote was immediately proscribed or dis- 

* Generations after generations have been born with the words 
"poor Ireland" on their lips, and have died uttering the same sug- 
gestive syllables. It blusters and moans in every sough of the wind; 
it expands the sails of every ship that wanders over the ocean. The 
lordly trees that shiver before the emigrant's axe in primeval forests 



14 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 



couraged by the British government. Dean Swift was 
prosecuted by the government for publishing a pamphlet 
entitled "A proposal for the universal use of Irish manu- 
factures." 



fall a memento of poor Ireland." The engine that rattles over our 
trans-continental railroads, at every gust of smoke seems to belch them 
out. The words are raised into monumental stone and statue, as well 
in France, Spain, Austria — in the poet's corner.of Westminster, under 
St. Patrick's, New York, as well as St. Patrick's, Dublin. — Savage. 




Chapter hi. 



WHAT IRELAND LOSES BY THE EXPORTATION OF 
CATTLE. 



AT present, the exportation of cattle to England is not 
inhibited by the government — in fact, the English 
are the best markets for Irish cattle. Strange as it may 
appear, this is one of Ireland's greatest misfortunes, as 
the following argument, from the pen of a Limerick mer- 
chant (Mr. A. Shaw) clearly demonstrates. In refer- 
ence to the exportation of sheep, he reasons thus: 

"One pound in weight of wool is worth about is., and 
it may be roughly estimated as capable of producing one 
pound of a fairly good cloth. There are tweeds that go 
in price from js. to 8s. 6d. a yard wholesale, finer cloths 
from 14^. to 20s. \ the red cloth for officers' uniforms 
costs a guinea a yard, and the scarlet fabric for a hunts- 
man's coat 27^. a yard. Now, how is the pound of wool 
rendered so extremely valuable? By human labor! 
Leaving out of consideration those expensive kinds, let 
us take an ordinary common tweed at say 3s. per yard. 
One pound of wool making a yard of this cloth becomes 
tripled in value by labor. An average man requires 
about seven yards of cloth for a suit — this would be 21s. 
for the cloth — but, for argument's sake, suppose it costs 



16 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

20s. There are 5,000,000 of people in Ireland, 2,000,000 
of whom require (or should, if properly clad) two suits 
per annum, and so you have 4,000,000 suits in demand 
each year. These, at 20s. each, would cost ^4,000,000, 
of which ^2,666, 666 is actual labor, and lost to us if the 
material is worked up elsewhere than in Ireland." 

Ireland suffers a loss as great, if not greater, by the 
exportation of other cattle, such as cows, pigs, horses, 
poultry, game, etc. 

Considering the long sea-passage from Irish ports to 
Liverpool or London, a great deterioration in value is 
caused thereby. It has been calculated that a beast 
shipped from Limerick or Galway to Liverpool entails a 
loss of thirty shillings; a summary of this annual loss to 
Ireland in the entire exportation of its cattle, would 
amount to one million pounds sterling ($5,000,000.)* 
This is a loss without gain to anybody. Now, we shall 
examine the losses entailed by the exportation of the 
raw material which support several remunerative indus- 
tries in England: hides, that can be tanned into various 
grades of leather; horns, that can be converted into 
hafts of knives, buttons, combs, etc.; bones, into a 
thousand different uses; tallow, into soap and candles; 
hoofs, into jellies and jujubes; hair, into bristles and 
upholstery, and refuse, into glue. All these commodi- 
ties are manufactured in England and sent back to 
Ireland at an advanced price. If we examine a respec- 
table shopkeeper's premises or a farmer's homestead we 
shall find that almost every expensive article of furniture 

* Mr. Tallerman, an English merchant, computes the waste by the 
exportation of live cattle from Ireland to England at ,£1,088,097 
annually. (1889). 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 17 

and farm implement has been made in England; cut- 
lery, bearing a Sheffield, or some other English brand; 
china and crockery, that of Manchester, Bristol or Bir- 
mingham. In the latter city more than 35,000 families 
are employed in these manufactures; children from ten 
years of age, to old men and women of three score and 
ten are thus employed. How deplorable is the contrast 
in Ireland! In the largest cities, seldom more than one 
or two individuals of a household are employed; the 
rest of the family, however numerous, are obliged to re- 
main idle. With the peasantry, this condition is even 
more aggravating. Should a farmer engage twelve 
members of his family cultivating his farm, at the end 
of the year, instead of being requited, he is frequently 
mulcted by the landlord who raises his rentals, thus 
confiscating the fruit of his labor. 

But we have not yet exhausted the subject of English 
monopoly of materials that should be manufactured in 
Ireland. Last summer (1889) an American tourist 
challenged the proprietor of a large hotel in Dublin, to 
point out a single article of furniture in his house that 
was manufactured in Ireland. Chiffoniers, wardrobes, 
tables, bureaus, mirrors, lounges, sofas, piano, lace cur- 
tains, lambrequins, window-glass, mantels, vases, porce- 
lain, china and glass-ware, chandeliers, table coverings, 
bedsteads, mattresses, carpets, brushes, toilet articles, 
pins, crayons and steel engravings — all these and a hun- 
dred other things were imported from England. In 
fact, almost all the traders and merchants of Ireland are 
supplied by England or America; tailors, shoe-makers, 
painters, blacksmiths, harness-makers, printers, millin- 
ers, etc. In the farm and farm-yard we see patent 
rakes, plows, sowing, reaping, mowing and threshing 



18 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

machines, shovels, pitchforks — in short, almost every 
implement a farmer needs, imported from England, 
America or the Continent. 

Although the topography of various cities and towns 
of Ireland is more favorable to commerce and manu- 
facture than most English or American cities, yet, while 
many of the latter are emporiums of manufacture and 
commerce, the former are totally ignored. What but 
manufactures support such cities — Manchester, with a 
population of 450,000; Birmingham, 400,000; Bristol, 
250,000; Sheffield, 240,000; Leeds, 280,00; Hull, 135,- 
000? The harbor of Galway or Queenstown is superior 
to that of Liverpool, yet these towns have a population 
of only eighteen and nine thousand, respectively, while 
Liverpool has more than 600,000 inhabitants. Hosiery 
and lace are the chief manufactures of Nottingham; 
woolen stockings and hosiery, of Leicester; silks, of 
Macclesfield and Coventry; crepes, of Norwich; pottery, 
of Newcastle; porcelain, of Worcester; carpets, of Kid- 
derminster, and pins, of Gloucester. Could not all these 
industries exist in Ireland? Why must Ireland depend 
on England for the production of these goods when her 
own soil and people have similar, if not superior, advan- 
tages? A lack of sufficient capital and the ruthless 
monopoly of English trade, is the answer. If we look 
to this hemisphere, we find the same results. What 
would New England or, indeed, any of our great Amer- 
ican cities be if manufactures were annihilated? Fall 
River, with a present population of 70,000, employs in 
its mills 40,000 operatives. These people would unques- 
tionably starve were they to depend on the produce of 
agriculture or sale of cattle for subsistence. In fact, 
there is no arable land in the vicinage. Providence, 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 19 

with 125,000 inhabitants could scarcely subsist were all 
her factories, mills and foundries closed. Only a year 
ago Bristol, R. I., (6,000 inhabitants) was on the verge 
of bankruptcy when her rubber mill was closed; the 
failure of jewelry manufacture would paralyze every 
form of business in the flourishing towns of North and 
East Attleboro; Taunton, New Bedford, (Mass.,) Woon- 
socket, (R. I.,) with a majority of other New England 
cities depend on public works. It is even so with many 
of the greatest cities of the United States; agriculture 
contributes but a fraction of the support of New York, 
Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, 
New Orleans and Louisville. 

Business is so still in Irish cities that the shutters of 
the leading and lesser business houses are seldom re- 
moved before half past eight or nine o'clock in the 
morning, whilst every store is expected to be closed by 
six o'clock in the evening, except apothecary and tele- 
graph depots which, under no circumstances, transact 
business after eight o'clock, P. M. Every store and 
office is closed on Sundays. 



Chapter iy 



FACTS AND FIGURES SHOWING THE DECADENCY OF SEV- 
ERAL CITIES AND TOWNS IN IRELAND. 



A FEW years ago, the city of Cork was next to Dub- 
lin in population and commercial enterprise; at 
present, it has been superseded by Belfast with a popula- 
tion of 210,000 against that of Cork with a little more 
than 80,000 inhabitants. Thirty-five years ago, the pop- 
ulation of Cork was almost double its present figures, 
while Belfast was but a village; at the same time, Lim- 
erick had a population of 70,000; to day, it has not more 
than 38,000. Immediately before and after the " Union " 
Galway had a population of 40,000; at present, it has 
not more than 18,000. Statistics show that the follow- 
ing cities within the past half century had more than 
double their present population: Waterford, 27,150; 
Kilkenny, 14,120; Wexford, it, 000; Ennis, 5,340. In 
England and America, towns of no greater size would 
be regarded as mere villages, unfit for postal delivery. 
Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, at present is not 
much larger than Belfast, numbering only 249,602 in- 
habitants. The following description of the present 
condition of Dublin, by Mr. A. Shaw, will be found to 
be painfully interesting: 

"In 1800, in Dublin alone, there were 15,000 silk 
weavers constantly employed — there are about 400 this 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 21 

moment. The woolen trade employed 23,000 hands at 
an average of 30 shillings a week; I can only recollect 
five or six such mills now, in and about Dublin, which 
might employ about 2,000 hands. The hat-making 
trade employed 850 hands; I don't believe there are 50 
hat-makers in Dublin now. The hosiery trade employed 
11,000. Is there any hosiery made in Dublin now? 
Ribbon weaving, 13,000 hands; men at 35 shillings a 
week, women at 14 shillings a week. Curriers, 200, at 
three pounds a week, and so on with other trades. If 
we have some other industries instead of these, it is no 
argument for general prosperity. The woolen indus- 
tries had centres at Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, 
Bandon, Kilkenny, Carrick-on-Suir. Cotton industry — 
Dublin, Drogheda, Callan, Limerick, Bandon, etc. 
Hosiery — Belfast, Limerick, Lisburn, Waterford, Kil- 
kenny, Carlow and Dundalk. Where are all these in- 
dustries now? Alas! Echo answers — where? And in 
this connection I would ask: Where are the 98 Irish 
peers and a proportionate number of wealthy common- 
ers who inhabited the city of Dublin prior to the Union, 
who kept their entire establishments there, and spent 
their rents where they could enrich the lands from which 
they were drawn, instead of filling the coffers of the 
already opulent London shopkeepers? The amount 
spent out of Ireland has been estimated at something 
like 4,000,000 pounds per annum. What country of the 
size of Ireland could have withstood this constant hem- 
orrhage for over three quarters of a century without 
being bankrupt?" 

In Mulhall's celebrated " Fifty Years of National Pro- 
gress," (retrogression as far as Ireland is concerned) we 



22 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

find that Irish emigration since 1837 has amounted to 
almost 84 per cent, of the entire population. He tabu- 
lates it from 1837 to 1886; and for these forty-nine 
years shows that 4,186,000 people left Ireland, which is 
equal to 85,424 per year, or more than the present popu- 
lation of the city of Cork, twice that of Limerick and 
almost four times that of Waterford. It has been as- 
serted that every able bodied emigrant to the United 
States is a net gain to the country of ^200 ($1,000) per 
head. In one generation, 4,000,000 emigrants who left 
home penniless, have become possessed of real and per- 
sonal property amounting to ^665,000,000 sterling, be- 
sides having sent home to their friends a sum of ^32,- 
000,000. The two amounts added would almost pay 
the entire British national debt.* Mulhall avers that 
emigration robs Ireland of wealth amounting to ^17,- 
000,000 annually ($85,000,000). In opposition to those 
who insinuate that the Union has been beneficial to Ire- 
land, we would ask in view of this alleged prosperity, 
how it happened that, in 1881, 600,000 persons were in 
receipt of Poor Law relief in Ireland? If the Union 
begat trade and commerce, how is it that, in that year, 
one in every nine of the population was a pauper? In 
the Nineteenth Century Magazine for March, 1889, Mr. 
Given, an indisputable authority, says: "The taxable 
income of Great Britain has increased enormously, and 
those of Ireland hardly at all. Ireland, in population, 
has sunk from one-third to one-seventh of Great Britain. 
Ireland's national debt in 1797, was under ^4,000,000 
sterling. Shortly after the Union, when her fiscal sys- 
tem was united with England's, (in 1815) Ireland's debt 

* The national debt of Great Britain for 1888 was ,£700,000,000. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 23 

was ;£i 28,000,000, and in two years after (1817) it 
amounted to ^150,000,000. In 1841 the taxation per 
head was 9s. 6.; in 1871 it was £1. 6s. id. Ireland, 
while constituting about one-twentieth of the United 
Kingdom in resources, nevertheless, pays almost one- 
tenth of the taxes, or more than twice as much as her 
proper share/' 

The Irish people have been deprived, not only of their 
lands, and that partition of commerce to which, as a part 
of the British Empire they are naturally entitled, but, 
owing to the stagnant condition of national and corpo- 
rate enterprise, have also been bereaved of trades and 
professions which in foreign countries would materially 
aid them in their efforts to gain an independent liveli- 
hood. Hence, male and female emigrants from Ireland 
find themselves handicapped by German, Italian and 
French artisans. The greater portion of the class who 
emigrate from Ireland have no knowledge of the mech- 
anism of spinning, weaving, dyeing, printing, paper- 
making, etc. 

It is passing strange, and a culpable oversight on the 
part of many Irish parents, that their children should be 
innocent of the more common and useful trades that re- 
quire less skill, such as carpentry, blacksmithing, ma- 
sonry, painting, shoe-making, tailoring, etc. It is true 
the laboring populace have but sorry opportunities of 
learning telegraphy, telephony, music, type-writing, 
type-setting, etc.; but the ordinary trades might be ac- 
quired by the men, whilst the young women might be- 
come expert at home in various industries, such as plain 
and fancy sewing, embroidery, millinery, dress-making, 
etc. A majority of Irish emigrants are only fit for 



24 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

farming — a business which they seldom or never follow 
in this country. Although many of them are well edu- 
cated in didactic branches, they are incapable of adapt- 
ing them to the American system. Book-keeping, sur- 
veying, school-teaching and a thousand other professions 
have domestic features and facilities that are quite un- 
known in Europe. Although physically and mentally 
capable, yet for at least six months after landing an Irish 
emigrant is unfit to discharge the duties of clerk in a 
dry goods, grocery or apothecary store, or in any Ameri- 
can patent agency. Besides, emigrants need not expect 
to compete with native Americans in any of those offices 
that are the gift of the city or government. The latter 
have, what poor emigrants cannot expect to have, per- 
sonal and political influence, and local acquaintance 
with merchants and mercantile business. Hence, a 
majority of the Irishmen who come to this country are 
obliged to seek employment as porters, teamsters, rail- 
way and street laborers, etc., whilst the Irish girls seek 
employment in hotels, boarding houses and private fami- 
lies, considering themselves lucky if their services are 
secured in such places. Indeed, there is much truth in 
the aspersion that the Irish emigrants are only fit to be 
* hewers" of wood and "drawers" of water. 

In the foregoing allegations I did not mean to insin- 
uate that Irish emigrants are physically or intellectually 
deficient. On the contrary, I do not hesitate to aver 
that no people, with the few opportunities they have had 
in their native country, have made greater progress, or 
become more useful citizens. Many Irishmen who left 
their homes some thirty or forty years ago are to-day 
occupying some of the highest positions in our cities 
and government. 



(%APTER V- 



OTHER IRISH GRIEVANCES— DEGENERACY OF FISHERIES 
AND WOOD INDUSTRY, Etc. 



TO all strangers and tourists who visit Ireland, it ap- 
pears an insolvable question why such an inexhaust- 
ible source of wealth as the fishing industry should be 
almost entirely neglected. The question becomes more 
perplexing when we consider that Ireland has a coast line 
of 250 miles, indented with some of the finest fishing 
harbors in the word. Various reasons have been as- 
signed for this apparently culpable neglect. Some writ- 
ers attribute it to the Celtic origin of the inhabitants, 
insinuating that such a people lack sufficient patience 
for such a monotonous enterprise; yet the Cornishmen, 
Manxmen and Argylemen, the best fishermen in the 
United Kingdom, are of Celtic origin. The fishermen 
of St. Pierre and Miquelon, two islands in the St. Law- 
rence, and the colony of Cloddagh, near Boston, U. S., 
(an offshoot of Cloddagh in Co. Galway) brave the At- 
lantic waves in their canoes or carraghs of hoops and 
tarred canvas. Fishing was once a most flourishing in- 
dustry in Ireland. Early in the 17th century, Wexford 
alone exported 100,000 barrels of herrings per annum. 
In the same century, Irish fishing waters were regarded 
so valuable that the Dutch paid Charles I ^"30,000 for 
the privilege of fishing in the western coast; Philip II, 



2G HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

of Spain, paid /i,ooo a year for the privilege of fishing 
in the northern coast. Immediately after the Union, 
Irish sea-fishing began to decline, owing to the sinister 
interference of the British government. The govern- 
ment paid ^£21,000 to encourage the importation into 
Ireland of British and colonial cured fish, and but 
^4,000 to encourage the exportation of Irish cured fish. 
Here then is a clear odds of five to one against Ireland. 
From 1829 to 1844, Scotland received a government 
grant of ^200,000 ($1,000,000) for her fisheries, while 
Ireland only received ^'13,000. Irish merchants applied 
for a government brand such as Scotland secured, but 
were refused by a large majority of the House of Com- 
mons, consisting chiefly of English and Scotchmen. "It 
is a standing reproach to the British government," says 
a modern statesman, "to allow those fishing industries 
to remain undeveloped." In the United States, some 
30,000 skilled naturalists are employed, furnished with 
a complete marine laboratory, several fish-hatching 
establishments, and a large steamer costing over $300,- 
000, for the purpose of making observations around the 
coasts. In less than two years, America has expended 
for the development of this industry, not less than 
$200,000. If England were to contribute to pisciculture 
a tithe of what she expends on such luxuries as war 
ships and iron clads, she would have the lasting grati- 
tude of the Irish people. It is shameful negligence on 
the part of the government that at present there does 
not exist a single chart of the deep sea fisheries of Ire- 
land. Sea fishing would not only furnish employment 
to thousands who would follow this avocation, but would 
open another lucrative employment for men and women, 
such as boat building, sail and rope making, the weaving 



HISTORY OF IEELAND. 27 

of nets and other piscatory utensils that at present are 
made in Penzance, the Isle of Man, and other English 
ports. A fishing school has been recently established 
at Baltimore, Co. Cork, which from the patronage ex- 
tended to it by Irish Bishops,* promises to be successful. 
In the list of Irish grievances we would also include the 
almost total neglect of oyster culture, a most lucrative 
industry if properly cultivated. 

f REAFFORESTATION AND WOOD INDUSTRY. 

At one time there were numerous forests in Ireland, 
which contributed to render the climate genial and 
healthful. The wood was used in various industries; it 
was mainly used in the manufacture of farm implements 
and household furniture, smelting of iron, etc. This 
destruction has continued for ages, whilst replanting 
has been entirely neglected. It has been calculated that 

* The Baroness Burdette-Coutts has made munificent gifts of 
money towards this industry in Baltimore. 

f In Nebraska (America) fifteen years ago a voluntary movement 
was started for the encouragement of planting and reafforesting in 
general, and one day in the year, called 'Arbor day," set apart for 
the purpose. On that occasion trees are planted by prominent per- 
sons and by the local bodies. This example has been followed by sev- 
eral other Western States, and "Arbor day" is now a public holiday in 
those regions, the date being fixed by the governor of the state. So 
great has been the growth, that in Kansas alone there are now no less 
than 250,000 acres of artificial forest, and forty-three million forest 
trees are growing in Nebraska, where two years ago not a single tree 
could be seen growing upon the wide prairies. 

Note. The Dublin Freeman, of Jan., 1890, announces the ruth- 
less sale (for the manufacture of matches) of the beautiful forests sur- 
rounding "the sweet vale of Aroca, " Co. Wicklow. 



28 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

the forests have been denuded at the rate of a thousand 
acres a year. The result is that the country is gradually 
losing its most useful and lucrative industry. Besides 
the shelter trees afford to man and beast, they frequently 
prevent inundation, and moderate the violence of winds 
and storms. In nature, there is no material more indis- 
pensable and valuable than wood. Human labor can 
convert it into a thousand articles of daily use. In 
Germany, there are entire districts wholly dependent 
for their living on the forests and contingent wood in- 
dustries, while thousands live by wood carving in Swit- 
zerland. The whole district of Sonnenberg, on the 
borders of the Thuringian forests, gives employment to 
43,000 hands, engaged in the craft of making dolls and 
other juvenile toys. This enterprise yields an annual 
income of $5,000,000, employing children as well as men 
and women of every age. 

Rodach, another little German town in a mountainous 
district employs thousands of male and female hands 
making wicker baskets, glass marbles, imitation pearl 
beads, glass eyes, etc. They are enabled to do this by 
the presence of kasline and soda in the soil, otherwise so 
sterile that it is incapable of producing potatoes, except 
in patches. Nuremberg, by similar employment, yields 
$125,000 a year. Other sources of wealth, such as fruit 
growing, slate and marble quarrying, are industries that 
could be made most remunerative, but at present are 
sadly neglected. No slate imported from Scotland or 
England can compare with that of Killaloe and other 
Irish quarries in quality and durability, while the speci- 
mens of marble are the finest that can be produced in 
the United Kingdom. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 29 

IRISH BANK SYSTEM,* RAILWAY RATES, AND DECAY OF 
CELTIC ART. 

The following sketch from the pen of a distingnished 
Irish financier, is entitled to particular notice: 

"Moneys invested in stocks, bank and post-office de- 
posits and other money saving institutions are computed 
at $4,000,000. Five-sixths of this capital is invested by 
the banker in all sorts of foreign bonds: for instance, in 
Suez canal bonds or railroads in Nicaragua; water-works 
in Juan Fernandez, anywhere and everywhere except in 
the country that created it. They will trust anybody 
before an Irishman. 

When the Irish banks lend money, it is only a three 
month's bill at an enormous interest and with crippling 
security. A report of the sufr-commission on the sub- 
ject, in 1885, shows that the interest of the Irish public 
in the nine Irish banks is nearly four times that of the 
share holders, and declares, without reservation, that the 
banking laws of Ireland are /<?/?#/ laws of the worst kind. 

If a small manufacturer, with machinery, plant and 
building costing ^2,000, ($10,000) goes to a bank in 
the south or west of Ireland, for an advance to carry on 
or extend his business, he must pledge his entire prop- 
erty as collateral, besides his own, and often a friend's 
personal security; he may possibly then get from the 
bank a promissory note for ^500, discounted for three 
months at six per cent.; or, in plainer words, he receives 
^200 for ^2,000 of real outlay, and two men's personal 
security. We must here bear in mind that this ^500 so 

* There are nine different bank corporations which have branches 
in all the important towns of Ireland. 



30 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

grudgingly lent him at this high rate of interest, is not 
a part of the bank shareholders' immediate capital, but 
possibly the deposits of the very borrower's own sisters, 
cousins, aunts and uncles, living, perhaps, in his own 
neighborhood, and receiving but one or one and a half 
per cent." 

The following, on railway rates, is from the same 
writer: 

RAILWAY RATES. 

" Manufactured goods from Manchester to Tralee are 
charged 57$. 6d. per ton freight; from Manchester to 
Cork, 42 s. 6d.; therefore, 15J. per ton divides the two 
places. But if a Cork manufacturer sends his goods 
from Cork to Tralee, the " local rate," as it is termed, is 
36s. $d., or 21s. 3d. more than the Manchester man pays. 
Again, woolen goods from Bradford to Tralee cost 77^. 
6d. per ton, while the same class of goods sent from 
Cork to Tralee direct cost 58^., leaving only igs. 6d. per 
ton carriage Bradford to Cork. It is, as a matter of 
fact, cheaper to get goods from an English manufactur- 
ing town in Yorkshire than from Dublin to Galway, or 
vice versa. Goods of ordinary class from Limerick to 
Belfast, via Dublin, cost 40J. a ton, while you can send 
the same goods to London for 253-. a ton. It is cheaper 
to send goods to Belfast thus than to rail them via Dub- 
lin — Limerick to Waterford by rail, steamer to Glasgow, 
then steamer to Belfast. From Limerick to London- 
derry or Coleraine would be about as feasible as sending 
to Japan, through excessive railway rates. The freights 
upon Irish railways* seem to be arranged so as to dis- 

* There are but nineteen broad-gauge railways in Ireland. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 31 

courage to the utmost our local developments, and en- 
courage importation of all foreign goods from England 
and abroad." 

A person accustomed to American railway travel 
would consider the Irish and, indeed, all European rail- 
way carriages barbarous vehicles, improvised for rough 
transportation rather than for commodious and comfort- 
able locomotion. Whilst palace, dining and sleeping 
carriages are unknown in Ireland, and only employed in 
two or three railroads in England and Scotland, the 
meaningless and rude system of locking railway com- 
partments (each capable of holding not more than ten 
persons) and the failure to furnish them with heating 
and other sanitary furniture, renders travelling, if not a 
risky, an arduous undertaking. The shortness of travel- 
ers' local destination is the only ostensible excuse for 
this lack of humane precaution. But it seems cruel, if 
not outrageous, to test by mileage, a traveler's physical 
endurance of cold, thirst, and common decency. The 
integrity and morality of the Irish people alone prevent 
the commission of dreadful crimes during railway travel. 

DECAY OF CELTIC ART. 

The reader, comparing the past flourishing condition 
of Celtic art with its present forlorn degeneracy, will find 
the following epitomized reference to ancient Celtic art 
a sad commentary. Celtic art held a place distinctively 
apart from that of other races, although the influence of 
Roman models was felt in the architecture, literature, 
painting and sculpture of the whole Western Europe. 
Ireland, however, adhered to her own ideals, and 
throughout the 700 years of her existence as an inde- 



32 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

pendent christian country, produced more and better 
art work than any other nation of the known world. 

While nothing has been left undone to preserve the 
antiquities of Great Britain, the collection in the Eng- 
lish Museum is far inferior to the Irish. 

In gold and bronze ornaments and in illuminated 
manuscripts the Celt has left the Anglo-Saxon far be- 
hind. The same can be said in the matter of building 
supremacy. Only 20 structures of Anglo-Saxon times 
are standing, while several hundred edifices erected by 
the Celts prior to the 12th century show their superiority 
as architects. 

Many of the finest exhibits in the English Museum 
are of Irish origin. For instance, the "Book of Lindis- 
farne," one of the finest illuminated manuscripts in the 
world, is the work of Irish monks who settled in North- 
ern Ireland 1,200 years ago. 

Irish art has been traced back to a time beyond a 
written history of the island itself. Buried urns, dug up 
from time to time, show that decorative art was known 
before the introduction of Christianity upon the island, 
the urns being of the most exquisite designs. 

The bronze tools and weapons, which are found in 
abundance, and which were certainly made at least 
1,900 years ago, show that Celtic art had attained a cer- 
tain degree of perfection even in that far day. 

The collection of bells, chimes, crosses and other 
ecclesiastical objects in the museum of the Royal Irish 
Academy, is perhaps the finest in the world, and takes 
the art student back into Pagan times, 1,400 years ago. 

Gold seems to have been the favorite decorative 
metal of Ireland; and judging by the quantities of 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 33 

golden relics that have been found in Ireland, there 
must have been vast stores of it there in "the brave 
days of old." 

The masterpieces of ancient Irish art, however, are 
the golden reliquaries, chalices, Celtic and other crosses,, 
and several smaller articles. 

Cases for the preservation of books are classified with 
the finest samples of the Irish art. The most celebrated 
of these is a case made for preserving the copy of the 
Gospels known, as the " Domnach Airgid," which is said 
to have been brought to Ireland by St. Patrick himself. 
The book is of the highest antiquity. It was originally 
placed in a wooden box, which in the 12th century was 
cased in a copper and silver shrine of rich device, and in 
the 14th century the latter was itself inclosed in a casket 
of silver and gold. 

Celtic sculpture is as peculiar and superior as its other 
forms of art, and bears the same stamp of laborious 
finish; but it does not seem that statuary was ever much 
practiced in ancient Ireland, save in connection with the 
detached monuments erected to record public events or 
honor the mighty dead. The crosses, covered with re- 
lief pictures, in stone, are still numerous in Ireland, and 
constitute as typical a class of its antiquities as the 
round towers which lend so romantic a touch to its 
scenery. 

The celebrated cross at Clonmacnoise, erected as a 
memorial of the monarch, Flan, in the year 9T2, is "a 
thing of beauty," but is far surpassed by that at Tuam, 
erected in 1123. The latter was originally 30 feet high, 
but has been lowered by breaking on the part of vandals. 

The "Book of Kells," which is now in the library of 
Trinity College, Dublin, is a splendid MS. copy of the 
2* 



34 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

four Gospels, written on parchment, in Latin, and richly 
ornamented with illuminations. It dates from the 8th 
century, and was then produced by the monks of the 
monastery of Kells. Each gospel is prefaced by an 
illuminated page, having reference to the manuscript 
following, and containing both figures and scrolls of the 
most varied and beautiful designs, coupled with a bril- 
liancy of coloring which is simply marvelous, when the 
age of the volume and the vicissitudes it has undergone 
are taken into consideration. Not alone the title page, 
but the capital letters, are in scroll form and richly 
colored, and the Celtic designs are of such beauty that 
they are now reproduced in every description of art 
needle-work. The "Book of Kells" was jealously 
guarded from its earliest years, and tradition affirms 
that it was kept in a case of gold and finally stolen from 
the monastery for sake of its golden cover. Subse- 
quently it came into the hands of Ussher, Archbishop of 
Armagh, and was by him presented to Trinity College, 
together with other valuable works, about the year 1856. 



Chapter vi. 



LANDLORDISM UND THE LAND QUESTION. 



ALTHOUGH, in the foregoing pages, we have ex- 
posed many obstacles that militate against the 
social and national prosperity of Ireland, we have not 
yet related the chief source of Ireland's depression and 
discontent. The heading of the above chapter may be 
regarded as the mainspring of the nation's positive 
grievances and its past and present agitations.* 

Landlordism did not originate with the alleged 
"Union" of Great Britain and Ireland (1800-1801). It 
took its rise during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, in the 
beginning of the 17th century. While landlordism in 
other countries is a tolerable, and frequently a laudable 
institution, in Ireland it is considered a synonym for 
unmitigated oppression and confiscation. In our dis- 
cussion of this subject we would respectfully submit 
that we have no penchant for using strong language or 
unguarded assertions in our reference to the British 
government. We shall, as far as possible, confine our 
remarks to historical or incontestable facts. Although 
Elizabeth left no lawful issue to inherit the English 

* Fully five-sixths of the population depend on agriculture for sub- 
sistence. 



36 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

throne, and has been styled by her admirers "The Vir- 
gin Queen," the fact that she conceived and brought 
forth this monstrous offspring "Landlordism" hale and 
hardy, cannot be contested. Prolonging this metaphor, 
we would aver it was an abortion, baptized in bigotry, 
and supported from this Queen's time to the present, by 
rigorous and ruthless oppression. In those days, how- 
ever, the features of landlordism were different from 
its present aspect. It was the pretence of religion, and 
not the mere desire of sordid gain that induced Eliza- 
beth to institute and maintain landlordism, or what was 
practically the same, to sanction the confiscation of 
Catholic property. Had Ireland, like England and 
Scotland, renounced Catholicism, she would then, and 
to-day, be prosperous and free. King Henry VIII, 
Elizabeth's reputed father, merely confiscated churches 
and monasteries in his bold efforts to exterminate Catho- 
licity; but Elizabeth, under the pretext of promoting 
Protestantism, seized 870,000 acres of Irish land — six 
entire counties, known at present as the Black North or 
Ulster reservation. 

After Elizabeth's death, in 1650, Oliver Cromwell, 
who succeeded her in power, but not in heredity, (after 
the execution of King Charles I) seized 3,000,000 acres. 
In the fever of his wrath, he took active steps to drive, 
every Irish man, woman and child out of the soil. In 
executing this scheme, he arrogated infernal as well as 
political authority, by commanding his soldiery to drive 
the Irish either to hell or to Connaught.* A majority of 
the peasantry preferred to go to Connaught, naturally 

* Parts of Connaught were then so barren that it was said they did 
not contain wood enough to burn, water enough to drown, or earth 
enough to bury a man. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 37 

concluding the other climate would be reserved for 
Cromwell and his friends. Indeed, to the present day 
the "curse of Cromwell" is regarded a most appalling 
malediction amongst the people, who, on the mention of 
his name, mark their foreheads with the sign of the 
cross. Wherever the "shades" of Cromwell have been 
detained since he lived in the flesh, it is certain his evil 
genius, while promoting the cause of landlordism, 
wrought untold misery on Ireland and the Irish people. 

In 1691, during the reign of King William of Orange, 
Ireland was so completely confiscated that there was 
not, throughout the entire length and breadth of the 
land, a single Catholic land owner. The farmers were 
reduced to a wretched state of tenantry, not better, if 
equal to the condition of the negro in slavery times. 
Hence, Orangemen and the landed gentry of Ireland 
have good reason to hail the memory of King William, 
and the anniversary of the battle of the Boyne on the 
T2th of every July, the day which commemorates Ire- 
land's defeated efforts to regain national independence. 
Ever since King William landed in Ireland, down to the 
present year, every picture of Ireland represents a series 
of cruel evictions and national oppression. 

For the year 1881, there were 17,641 evictions in vari- 
ous parts of the country; during the year 1889,* no less 
than 500 evictions have taken place on the Olphert and 
Clanricarde estates alone. Many of these evictions 
(according to Mr. Gladstone) are equivalent to so many 
sentences of death. A contributor to the Contemporary 
Review, (Dec. 1888) wrote as follows: — "Practically the 
same dreadful quarrel remains; it is still for the peasant 

* Total number of evictions for 1S89 amounted to 4,000. 



38 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

as it has been for centuries, the struggle about arrears, 
about a burden of indebtedness which the tenant cannot 
shake off, and which it is impossible for him to pay, and 
which ever keeps him at the mercy of his landlord. 
The poor tenants pay the so-called rent, not out of the 
produce of the soil, for that barely suffices them to exist, 
but out of their earnings elsewhere. Rent, in such a 
case, (and this is true of the enormous proportion of 
Irish tenants) is mere plunder and blackmail, wrung out 
of the necessities of starving men for the right to live. 
. . . Practically, the struggle between poor and rich 
in Ireland, between Catholic and Protestant, between 
Irishmen and Englishmen, is the same to-day that it has 
been for more than a century, mitigated in part, with sev- 
eral of its enormities removed, most of the bigotry and 
blood thirstiness extinct, but with the most systematic 
apparatus of martial law applied to a European people, 
in the absence of war, and with the original and even 
fundamental enormity increased in force, viz: that mil- 
lions upon millions of the earnings of half-starved Irish 
laborers are sent over yearly to mere foreign creditors, 
whose very names are hardly known, and who never 
spent one sixpence on tenants, land, or Ireland, and who 
have no moral right whatever to receive back a sixpence, 
except so far as it appears in a series of documents all 
based upon confiscation." 

Mr. Lefevre, M. P., in his book, "Two Centuries of 
Irish History," says: — (Oct., 1888) " A whole township 
has been cleared of its tenants; twenty-three families 
have been evicted from their homes, and many of these 
and their friends, forty in number, have been committed 
to prison for resisting these evictions. The tenants 
have lost all their rights under the last act of 1881.'* 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 39 

. . . . "We find another estate with 4,500 tenants. 
Their rent is wholly paid out of earnings which they 
make at a distance. There, for eighty years, the land- 
lords have never resided, but have drawn their large 
rentals and spent them in England. No capital has 
ever been expended by them in improving the property. 
Every improvement which has brought the land into 
cultivation from its original condition of waste bog has 
been effected by the tenants; all the houses and build- 
ings have been erected by them. And yet the rentals 
have been increased from ^5,000 to ^24,000 within a 
century. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the per- 
secution of Catholics, and the spoliation or confiscation 
of their property were means employed to extirpate 
Catholicity. Blind zeal and bigotry were the chief mo- 
tives for the oppression of Irishmen before the 'Union/ 
ever since, avarice has played an active, if not a chief 
part." 

An eminent French historian, (De Beaumont) visiting 
Ireland in 1824, declared: That he had seen the Indian 
in his wigwam, and the Negro in his chains, but that the 
condition of the Irish peasant was beneath that of the 
slave or savage. It must be admitted that there have 
been some just and humane landlords who consulted 
the interests and happiness of their tenantry, but they 
were a forlorn minority. A majority of the landed 
gentry had grown accustomed to regard the whole pro- 
duce of the land as their natural right. The following 
extract from the letter of a landlord to his agent (1889) 
bears out this assertion: "I may tell you that I would 
not now accept 99 per cent, of the rent and costs due to 
me, as I am going to clear Dringlass and Glasacoo. 
Remember they (the tenants) are merely living on my 



40 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

land as long as I let them, and will not regard costs in 
carrying out my plans. I intend that in five, or at most, 
in ten years, there will not be a family living there."* 
Such men as Clanricarde, Olphert, the O'Grady, O'Calla- 
han, Ponsonby, Smith-Barry and Lord Londonderry are 
living embodiments of those human monsters whom the 
mild Berkeley called u vultures with iron bowels." No- 
where in Europe was there a propertied class who did 
so little for, and took away so much from the people. 
Impossible rent was kept in the books of an estate, and 
arrears recorded to hold the tenant in perpetual bond- 
age. A farmer might improve his land by building, 
draining, fertilizing, etc. Instead of recompensing, the 
landlord invariably raised the rent in proportion to the 
tenant's improvements. It made no difference whether 
the farmer, with his family of eight or ten children, had 
labored for years upon the land. The farmer received 
no recompense for his own and his family's industry, 
even in cases where the soil, entirely barren when first 
occupied, was rendered fertile by the tenant's labor and 
outlay. In numerous instances tenants were not allowed 
to hunt, fish or cut turbary in their own farms, whilst 
under no circumstances could they divide or sell their 
interest in them. Things must have come to a sad pass 
in Ireland when such a bigot as Jas. Anthony Froude 
once declared, "That if a legion of angels inhabited Ire- 
land, they would lose their temper, if treated as Irish- 
men have been." 

Rent, in other countries, meant a surplus after the 
farmer had been duly paid for his labor; in Ireland, it 

* The London Times once exultingly predicted that a Celtic Irish- 
man would be as scarce in Connemara as a red Indian on the shores 
of Manhattan. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 



41 



meant the whole produce of the soil, except tne potato 
pit. If the farmer strove for more, his master knew how 
to bring him to submission; he could carry away his 
implements of trade; he could, and frequently did, seize 
the stools and pots in his miserable cabin, the planks 
that sheltered his children, and the cow that yielded 
them nourishment. 




Chapter yii 



IRISH FM.INES RKD EVICTIONS. 



THE great famines of 1812, '22 and '46 were not nat- 
ural but artificial. It was only the potato that rot- 
ted; there was abundance of other produce in the 
country if the people had only consumed it. John 
Mitchell, in his- book "Prison Life," states that during 
the famine of '46, 1,200,000 persons (more than 300,000 
families) perished. During this dreadful time, Ireland 
was annually exporting to England, food valued at 
^£14,000,000 sterling. From the port of Newry, during 
the rage of the famine, eleven ships sailed for England, 
laden with provisions, besides two steamers which sailed 
four times a week; one of these steamers contained 
4,000 barrels of wheat, 11,000 quarters of oats and 7,700 
firkins of butter. The government returns of 1849 show 
that Ireland paid altogether in taxes to the British ex- 
chequer no less a sum than ^£13,293,681, while her starv- 
ing people exported to England 595,000 head of cattle, 
840,000 sheep, 959,000 quarters of wheat, 700,000 swine, 
3,600,000 quarters of oats and meal. The population 
was only 8,000,000, and the soil of Ireland, according to 
Sir Robert Kane, in his "Industrial Resources," is capa- 
ble of supporting 20,000,000 people. While the Ameri- 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 43 

cans, and even the negroes were sending money to the 
famine sufferers in Ireland, England, her so-called sister 
kingdom, demanded her seasoned or bloody pound of 
flesh. Writing of his visit to Ireland during the lesser 
famine of 1880, Mr. James Redpath states that thou- 
sands would have perished if it were not for the munifi- 
cence of the American and Australian Irish and the con- 
tributions of the New York Herald and the Duchess of 
Marlborough. The Prince of Wales lent his name, but 
little of the royal purse towards the Mansion House 
Relief Committee. "The facts of Irish destitution," 
says the London Times, "are ridiculously simple; the 
people never suffer from a natural, but from an artificial 
famine. Nature has done well for Ireland. The land 
is full and overflowing with human food. But some- 
thing ever interposes between the hungry mouth and 
the ample banquet. The famished victim of a mysteri- 
ous sentence stretches out his hands to the viands which 
his own industry has placed before his eyes, but no 
sooner are they touched than they disappear. A per- 
petual decree of sic vos, non vobis, condemns him to toil 
without enjoyment." Referring to the extraordinary 
exodus of the Irish, another writer says: 

"The tales of horror from Ireland of tens of thou- 
sands of people dying of starvation within five hours* 
sail of English shores, within sixty miles of the wealth- 
iest country in the world, by which the people of Ireland 
were ruled, ship loads of dying and fever-stricken emi- 
grants arriving in the Atlantic ports, adding sights of 
suffering to tales of starvation. From the shores of the 
Atlantic to the banks of the Mississippi, the path of the 
fleeing Irish exiles was one long string of graves. In 



44 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

the thirty-seven years the emigrants from the six coun- 
ties of Munster have numbered 1,117,921, or 73.3 per 
cent, of the average population. Assuredly, it is a sor- 
rowful record Dr. Stratten writes about, about this ship- 
ment of human beings: 'Up to November, one emi- 
grant in every seven had died, and during November 
and December there have been many deaths in the 
different emigrant hospitals, so that it is understating 
the mortality to say that one person in every five was 
dead by the end of the year.' 

"The evicted tenants who were landed in New York 
fared even more horribly. They were transported 
across the Atlantic in what have been only too truly de- 
scribed as 'the coffin ships,' which were freighted with 
the victims of landlordism and misrule. The Erin 
Queen sailed with 493 passengers, of whom 136 died on 
the voyage amidst scenes which could hardly have been 
surpassed in the crowded and sickly slavers on the Afri- 
can coast. It appears, writes Dr. Stratten in the ' Edin- 
burgh Medical Journal,' that out of 552 passengers who 
sailed in the Avon, 246 died, and amongst 476 on board 
another ship, the Virginius, not less than 267 deaths took 
place. Of 440 on the Larch, 108 died, and 150 were 
seriously diseased. The Chief Secretary for Ireland re- 
ported with regard to the 89,783 persons who embarked 
for Canada in 1847, that 6,100 perished on the voyage, 
4,100 on their arrival, 5,200 in hospitals, 1,900 in towns 
to which they repaired. How some of these unhappy 
cargoes of humanity were made up has been explained 
by an English gentleman employed as conducting 
engineer of Public Works in Ireland during the famine, 
Mr. William Henry Smith, C. E., who, referring to the 
part of Connaught in which he was stationed at the time, 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 45 

writes thus: * Hundreds, it is said, had been compelled 
to emigrate by ill usage (on the part of the landlords], 
and in one vessel, containing 600, not one hundred sur- 
vived. From Grosse Island, the great charnel house of 
victimized humanity, up to Port Sarnia, and along the 
borders of our magnificent river, upon the shores of 
Lakes Ontario and Erie, wherever the tide of emigration 
has extended, are to be found the final resting places of 
the sons and daughters of Erin, one unbroken chain of 
graves, where repose fathers and mothers, sisters and 
brothers, in one co-mingled heap, without a tear bedew- 
ing the soil, or a stone marking the spot where their 
bones repose.' 

" Now, as heretofore, they are the young and vigorous 
who seek shelter beyond the seas from the miseries that 
misrule creates. Last year more than 80 per cent, of 
the emigrants were between the ages of 15 and 35; and 
that headlong rush is from a country where every year 
thousands of acres are relapsing into moorland and 
marsh for want of hands to till it--or, we should say, by 
reason of laws that shut out the soil from the labour that 
would save it from waste." 

EVICTIONS. 

As there is no more endearing place in creation than 
home, especially the ancestral home, where kindred 
generations have lived and died, there can be no sen- 
tence, except that of death, more painful than that which 
consigns an individual or family to banishment from 
their native hearth. The reader, therefore, will find the 
following brief sketch of evictions that include, not only 
the razing and ruin of homes, but the confiscation of 



4G HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

present and past industry, painfully interesting. The 
annual list of evictions establishes an appalling proof of 
oppression and property. Imagine 17,641 evictions in 
one year ! Savage as well as civilized nature revolts 
against the destruction of so many homesteads. The 
hostile bias of the government is not less culpable, we 
should say criminal, than the obduracy of the landlords. 
Frequently, regiments of constablery and soldiery, con- 
sisting of two hundred, and sometimes five hundred men, 
with a platoon of bailiffs and unprincipled emergency 
men and a battering-ram, invade a poor Irishman's 
peaceful dwelling. The duty of this mighty army of 
dissolute military is not discharged until they see cast on 
the roadside, a helpless family, of different ages, from 
the suckling babe to the bed-ridden grandmother. 

The peasantry usually resist, being loath to leave the 
roof-tree of their ancestors, however humble.* The de- 
fensive course which some tenants adopt is ludicrous in 
the face of an army of government officials. The boreen y 
or bye-road, leading to the doomed homestead, is ob- 
structed by felled trees or impassable rocks; the windows 
and doors are also barricaded with gnarled logs or thorn 
brush. Hot water, pitch or lime wash is sometimes dis- 
pensed from the roof or windows. Now and then the 
smiling face of some young girl or the scowling visage 
of an old woman nestled in white cap and borders, is 
seen to emerge from the ordinary or improvised aper- 
tures, and simultaneously the fragments of some culinary 
or chamber missiles are directed towards the heads and 
shoulders of the bailiffs or emergency men. In five 

* Even animals of the brute creation obstinately cling to their 
habitations. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 4? 

instances, (1889) three young women "held the fort," 
and in one instance, a girl of fifteen defended her 
father's house for two hours against the united forces of 
military and bailiffs. But the final seizure of the home- 
stead and surrender of its occupants might easily be 
anticipated. Although wielded by more vigorous hands, 
a blackthorn stick or piece of delf is no efficient weapon 
against a bayonet, a sword, or a musket. During most 
evictions, the delf and furniture of the poor tenants are 
rudely cast into the streets or rendered unfit for future 
use; whilst, in many instances, the young girls of the 
evicted household are insulted by half drunken bailiffs, 
emergency men or soldiers. Two soldiers were last year 
indicted in Luggacurran for having defloured a young 
girl after she had been evicted from her home. 

This is not the end of this shameful farce. Before 
the poor family are permitted to enter the Poor House 
or emigrant ship, the elder members who resisted are 
imprisoned for a period, ranging from six weeks to six 
months. Innocent little boys and girls too, have been 
often punished in this fashion. The accused are seldom 
tried in their own barony or district, lest they should 
have sympathizing friends among the jury; their venue 
is generally transferred to Belfast, Maryborough or some 
other district where Orangeism prevails. The patriot 
Archbishop Croke of Cashel, in his letter to the Bishop 
of Raphoe, (Jan. 12, '89) stated: "As far as I know, and 
I know a good deal about savage, as well as civilized 
countries, there is no land on the face of the habitable 
globe, except unhappy Ireland, in which such scandalous, 
heartrending, and unchristian scenes could take place 
with any approach to impunity, or without much fierce 
contention and even blood-shed. Sending the armed 



48 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

forces of the Crown to tear down the roof-trees and 
demolish the humble dwellings of the poor for the bene- 
fit of a pampered few, appears to me to be a sin that 
cries to Heaven for vengeance; and surely, if Holy Writ 
has consigned to everlasting perdition the heartless 
creatures who refuse shelter to those that need it, what 
must be thought of our present moralizing rulers who, 
far from being content with the negative attitude of 
non-intervention, bring all the weight of their authority 
to sanction such guilty excesses, and hold in hand a 
gang of ruthless desperadoes to execute their nefarious 
purposes."* 

The following harrowing account of evictions ap- 
peared in the Dublin Weekly Freeman, Nov., 1889: 

"There is no other civilized or half civilized country 
in which the savageries of the last week's eviction cam- 
paign in the desolate region of Falcarragh would be 
patiently endured. The man that would emulate in 
England the atrocities of Olphert in Ireland would be 
universally shunned and execrated as a monster. The 

* Von Raumer, making a tour in Ireland, tries to explain to his 
own country people the state of things produced by the landlord land- 
laws of this country thus: — "How shall I translate tenant-at-will? 
Shall I say serfs? No; in feudal times serfdom consisted rather in 
keeping the vassals attached to the soil, and by no means in driving 
them away. An ancient vassal is a lord compared with the present 
tenant-at-will, to whom the law affords no defence. Why not call 
*hem Wegjagdbare (chaseable)? But this difference lessens the 
analogy — that for hares, stags, and deer, there is a season during 
which no one is allowed to hunt them, whereas tenants-at-will are 
hunted all the year round. And if anyone would defend his^farm (as 
badgers and foxes are allowed to defend their cover), it is here de- 
nominated 'rebellion!'" 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 49 

government that dared abet him in his work of wanton 
cruelty would be driven from power by a storm of indig- 
nation. The Septennial Act would not save them a day 
from the fierce wrath of the people. Can anyone -fancy 
for a moment a force of one hundred and fifty English 
soldiers, armed to the teeth, deputed by the government 
to guard a gang of ruffians in their work of wrecking 
and burning an English hamlet and savagely maltreat- 
ing the inhabitants? In England the idea is too start- 
ling to be entertained; in Ireland the reality is too com- 
mon to be wondered at. 

"The scenes that disgraced last week's man-hunting 
in the wilds of Falcarragh are so startling as to be 
almost incredible. At the house of a man named Devir, 
the chief huntsman, Hewson, and his bloodhounds kept 
howling that the wretched tenant who lay helpless on a 
sick bed should be thrown out on the roadside. They 
drew off at last, muttering and growling, only when the 
medical certificate of the army doctor declared that the 
eviction would mean murder. When the humble home- 
stead of the poor Widow Cole was burst into by those 
devils in human form — the emergency men — the shrieks 
of women in agony, heard beyond the wide cordon of 
soldiers drawn round the building to preserve the sacred 
privacy of eviction, announced to the breathless specta- 
tors that some exceptional savagery was in progress. 
A few moments later a soldier sneaked down, in a 
shamefaced way, for lint and plaster, and medical appli- 
ances. 

"'Then the wounded girl, Bridget Conaghan,' (we 

quote verbatim the description of an eye witness), 'was 

dragged out with her head split open with the blow of a 

crowbar, wielded by one of the emergency men! The 

3 



50 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

V 

poor girl was helped down the lane by two policemen 
with the blood streaming from a big gash just above the 
right ear. The whole side of the face, neck and shoul- 
der were covered with blood. She and her three com- 
panions were placed under arrest, though the emergency 
man whom she identified as her assailant was allowed to 
go about his business.' 

CHILD TORTURERS. 

"Such is the merciful and impartial administration of 
the law in Falcarragh. Scarcely less piteous was the 
scene at the house of the tenant, Magee, whose twin in- 
fant children were dragged from their bed by the emer- 
gency men and carelessly thrown half naked on the bare 
earth in the biting air of October, their little limbs blue 
with the cold, and their piteous wailing almost frozen 
on their lips, while their weeping mother was mercilessly 
hustled away from their side outside the wide cordon of 
police and soldiery. 

"More inhuman still and more revolting, if that be 
possible, was the following incident vividly described 
by the special correspondent of the Freeman on the 
spot: 

" ' A rather long tramp brought us to the house of 
Manus M'Ginley, a little 'shieling' on the roadside. 
The house was occupied by the tenant, and his father 
and mother. He only returned from jail on Saturday 
last, and now on Thursday he again had the bitter ex- 
perience of an eviction. His wife, the tenant's mother, 
has been an invalid for seventeen years. To-day the 
emergency men pitched her out on the street without a 
moment's hesitation. The poor old creature became so 
ill on being evicted that she seemed in danger of death. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 51 

Father Boyle, who was present, deemed it necessary to 
administer the last sacraments, and a soldier was des- 
patched in hot haste for Dr. M'Laughlin. The doctor 
on arriving said the woman should not have been re- 
moved, as her life was in serious danger. He spoke to 
Mr. Cameron, and suggested the necessity of having her 
•put into bed in her son's house again, as there was no 
bed in the little cabin to which she was carried. To 
this humane suggestion the Divisional Commissioner re- 
plied that he would try and get her into the workhouse, 
which, be it remembered, is ten miles away. A very 
heartless feature of the case was the refusal of permis- 
sion to the old woman's husband to go to her assistance. 
A kind hearted policeman allowed him to pass the cor- 
don, but by order of District-Inspector Hill he was im- 
mediately put back again, and would not be allowed to 
approach his invalid wife who was lying in a fainting 
condition on the bare stones of the street within ten 
yards of him.' 

" In the sheer wantonness of triumphant cruelty — such 
cruelty as a savage might glory in — the emergency men, 
by order of their masters, poured libations of petroleum 
on the ruined homes of the evicted tenants, which their 
own hands had built, and burned them to the ground as 
an acceptable holocaust to the twin divinities of 'Law 
and Order' in Ireland. Even on evidence the most 
conclusive, it is hard to believe that such things arc 
possible in a civilized land — possible to be done, possi- 
ble to be borne." 

Heart-rending evictions of similar character have 
taken place during the past two years, under the imme- 
diate supervision of Her Majesty's police and military, 



52 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

on the Clongorey, Luggacurran, Gweedore, Olphert, 
Ponsonby, Smith-Barry, Delmage and Clanricarde 
estates. Mr. Michael Davitt summarizes the number 
of families that have been evicted, as follows: — "From 
1846 to '48, (famine years) 240,000 families; from '48 to 
'80, 350,000 families; from '80 down to the present year, 
(1889) 10,000 families." 

When we consider that the people have no resort to 
manufactures or public works, but must depend entirely 
on the produce of the land for subsistence, it is impos- 
sible to imagine the horrors those evictions must have 
entailed. "Around the poorest cabin," eloquently writes 
Mr. Davitt, "cling and cluster the tenderest feelings of 
the human heart;* within their rugged walls, the best 
and holiest of our affections have been exercised; 
memory holds fast to these abodes of the poor, and 
gives them a sanctity that ought, in a christian county, 
to be their shield and protection." 

Lord Hartington, in his address to the people of 
Accrington, said "There was nothing in Ireland for the 
past two or three years but lawless agitation, caused by 
the confiscation of the tenants' improvements;" whilst 
J. A. Froude wrote, "Landlords in Ireland, for the most 
part, were aliens in blood and in religion; they repre- 
sented conquest and confiscation, with an indifference 
to the welfare of the people, which would not have been 
tolerated in England or Scotland." 

* "Ad ogni uccello, suo nido e bello." 

" To every bird its own nest is charming." 

Note. A majority of rack-rented farms in Ireland are owned by 
absentee English landlords or London Corporations, such as "The^ 
Fishmongers, the Skinners, Ironmongers, Mercers, Salters, the 
Drapers;" the latter company own 27,025 acres whose valuation is 
.£i4.S59- 



Chapter yiii 



NOT only have Irish Catholics been unjustly deprived 
of their lands, or rack-rented when they were allowed 
to retain them, but they have been debarred from every 
lucrative office that was a gift of the government. In 
1833, Mr. Lecky, writing of his time, declared "There 
was not in Ireland a single Catholic Judge, or stipend- 
iary Magistrate; all the High Sheriffs, with one excep- 
tion, and an overwhelming majority of the unpaid 
magistrates and of the Grand Jury; the five Inspectors 
General, and the thirty-two Sub-Inspectors of police 
were Protestants. The chief towns were, for the most 
part, in the hands of narrow-minded, corrupt and in- 
tensely bigoted corporations. Even in the Whig gov- 
ernment, not a single Irishman had a seat in the Cabinet; 
the Irish Secretary's imperious manner and unbridled 
temper made him intensely hated. For many years 
promotion was withheld from those who advocated 
Catholic Emancipation, and the majority of the people 
found their bitterest enemies in the foremost places. 
Sir Gavan Duffy, in his "History of the Union" wrote: 
"In Ulster, there were 1100 magistrates; of these, 
scarcely a dozen were Catholics; very often the entire 
bench and its servants were members of an Orange 
Lodge." 

The condition of the judiciary and government offices 



54 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

is not much better at present. Mr. J. Balfour, and his 
uncle Lord Salisbury, Prime Minister of England, are 
notorious opponents of every scheme that has been de- 
vised to ameliorate the condition of Ireland. They 
invited Tory influence to reject Gladstone's Land Bill* 
and Mr. Parnell's Amendments, insisting on fixity of 
tenure, and the erasure of arrears. They introduced the 
Coercion Act, of 1886, which placed Ireland under a 
state of siege. No Coercion Act heretofore devised by 
the British Government involved such tyrannical and 
oppressive provisions. Besides embracing the quin- 
tessence of all previous repressive acts, it dispensed with 
trial by jury. While other penal acts were of a tempo- 
rary durance, this statute was framed to continue in 
force until abrogated by positive legislation. Superior 
officers of the constablery, entirely ignorant of the prin- 
ciples of jurisprudence, and many of doubtful repute,, 
were constituted "removables" with power to decide all 
cases of alleged conspiracies, boycottings and agrarian 
outrages. These were authorized to transfer the venue 
from one district to another, even from Ireland to Eng- 
land, if they considered the case of the Crown preju- 
diced. The act created new crimes. At present, it is 
not a mere infraction of law, but a crime, a criminal con- 
spiracy, for a man to attend a Land-League meeting in 
a proclaimed district. In the lord-lieutenant was vested 
the authority to proclaim a district or county, in fact he 
could proclaim the whole island if he pleased. Fre- 
quently meetings have been proclaimed but twenty-four 
hours antecedent to the time specified for their assem- 
blage, thus furnishing a menacing incentive to the 
people to resist. In all the parish churches in pro- 
claimed districts throughout Ireland, policemen are 



HISTOKY OF IRELAND. 55 

deputed to watch the congregation after Mass, lest they 
should engage in league meetings. Priests have been 
frequently arrested at their church doors and followed 
for miles, while discharging their missionary duties. 
Father McFadden of Gweedore was arrested just as he 
had retired from the altar where he had officiated. 
Although he could be seen a hundred times a day on 
other occasions, yet the most offensive and inopportune 
moment when he and his flock were leaving the church, 
was that selected for his arrest. Although Father 
McFadden* did his utmost to appease the fury of the 
populace, enraged at his arrest, he was, nevertheless, 
indicted by the government for complicity in the mur- 
der of Inspector Martin (Feb., 1889). As numerous 
other instances of Priest-hunting have occurred since 
the passage of the Coercion Act of '86, our brief narra- 
tive will only permit the insertion of a few of the most 
remarkable and ludicrous. 

During the past year a popular young Priest was 
tracked by a policeman the entire way from his church 
to a lady's private residence some three miles distant. 
He forced his way through the hall, and thence to the 
drawing room where he met the Priest and the aston- 
ished landlady who asked him the meaning of his visit. 
He nonchalantly replied that he presumed a Land- 
League meeting was to be held there. A military cap- 
tain in Birr, King's Co., commanded his regiment to 
leave the church while Father P. Brennan was preaching 
to his congregation. Rev. R. Little, a respectable 

* The people of Memphis, Term., will be pleased to learn that this 
noble clergyman is a brother of the late Chief McFadden, one of the 
yellow fever martyr heroes of 1878. See Heroes and Heroines of 
Memphis, page 60. 



5G HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

Clare parish Priest, avers that whenever he attends sick 
calls, two constables follow him and await his return to 
the parsonage. As this Priest has frequently outwitted 
the constablery, holding meetings almost within the 
shadow of their helmets, a mounted policeman, for whose 
support the barony is taxed, is especially deputed to 
watch his nocturnal movements. In almost every parish 
police note takers report all words spoken that are sup- 
posed to have a political bias in favor of the National 
League. Very Rev. Canon Keller and Rev. M. Ryan 
were sentenced to hard labor imprisonment for refusing 
to reveal in court monetary and other political secrets 
confided to them by their respective flocks. Rev. 
Father Kennedy, of Meelin, Co. Cork, a very enlight- 
ened clergyman who spent the greater portion of his 
priestly career in England, was incarcerated three times. 
On the occasion of his last arrest, the police, without 
any previous warning whatever, broke into his residence: 
at night and took him to jail, paying no attention to the 
condition of his health, enfeebled since his last imprison- 
ment. This good clergyman avers that the only Crown 
pretext for his two first terms of imprisonment was an 
advice to his flock to use every lawful means to defend 
their homes during the process of eviction. It would 
be amusing, if it were not so painful, to listen to Father 
Kennedy glory in his victory over the prison officials 
who required him to exercise with thieves, pick-pockets 
and murderers; as also relate his ruse obtaining boiled 
eggs in a coffee kettle. Besides the afore mentioned, 
the following Priests have been imprisoned for terms 
ranging from two to eight months: Very Rev. Canons, 
Doyle and Brosnan, Revs. Stephens, Clarke, Maher, 
McCarthy, Sheehy, Marnan, Farrelly, O'Dwyer, (the 
latter was sentenced for eight months). 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 57 

The ignominy of sentencing respectable clergymen 
to imprisonment for technical offenses was aggravated 
by their after treatment within the prison walls. Al- 
though the inhuman treatment of political prisoners had 
been denounced (in the pages of the Dublin Freeman 
of 1889) by many of the leading statesmen of Europe, 
America, and other civilized nations, still the Tory gov- 
ernment obstinately refused to mitigate prison rigor in 
favor of political prisoners, or segregate them from exer- 
cising with the worst grades of criminals. Indeed, it 
savors political cowardice, if not petty savagery, that a 
great government, such as that of England, should con- 
nive at its minions stripping and almost strangling such 
dauntless patriots as William O'Brien, John Mandeville 
and Larkin in their efforts to substitute prison garb. 
To regulate prison discipline so as to sap the life and 
vigor of manhood, and render the victim fit only for the 
grave, comprises the guilt and malice of insidious man- 
slaughter. Several political prisoners besides the stout- 
hearted John Mandeville, died almost immediately after 
their liberation from prison. Many others would have 
undoubtedly shared the same fate, had not public opin- 
ion revolted against such barbarity. It is almost in- 
credible that the alleged crimes for which these men 
were incarcerated and lost their lives (their advocacy of 
Nationalism) before the ratification of the Coercion Act 
of '86, were not considered crimes at all. Ever since 
the passage of this Coercion Bill, Nationalism is pro- 
scribed, so that to advocate or sympathize with Home 
Rule tactics incriminates a man and disqualifies him for 
every office that is the gift of the government. No 
Nationalists, now-a-days, need apply for positions in 
Customs, Excise, Coast or Navy Service, Bank of Ire- 
3* 



58 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

land or Post Office. Even the rural post offices in the 
wildest districts are invariably bestowed on Protestants 
and anti-Nationalists.* In the village of Tulla, Co. 
Clare, consisting of some six thousand inhabitants, and 
not more than twenty-five Protestants, the post office is 
in the hands of an uncompromising Tory bigot. In the 
little hamlet of Lisdoonvarna, (west Clare), where there 
are not five Protestants against a thousand Catholics, a 
young Miss of fifteen (a Protestant) has charge of the. 
post office and telegraph station. Last summer ('89) a 
young man had to be sent from Dublin to initiate her 
in the manipulation of telegraphy, the position being 
withdrawn from an experienced gentleman, but a reputed 
Nationalist. Although this young lady mislaid many of 
my letters during her postal novitiate, it is due to her to 
say that her manners and features are very agreeable, 
and now that she is duly installed, we would be sorry to 
hear of her dismissal. 

Few Irishmen, in these days, are entitled to add J. P. 
(Justice of Peace) to their names. The majority have 
to be content with T. C. (Town Council), M. B. C. 
(Member of Bicycle Club), or P. L. G. (Poor Law 
Guardian), which has been ludicrously rendered Poor 
Lame Gander. 

* In Cootehill (Cavan), out of the eleven paid officials of the work- 
house, there is but one Catholic, although three-fourths of the rate 
payers are Catholics. Last October, 1889, when a nurse was re- 
quired, an inexperienced Protestant girl was installed, although 95 
per cent, of the sick poor are Catholics. 



Chapter ix. 



POLICE UBIQUITY AND ESPIONAGE. 

A STRANGER visiting Ireland at present, would 
imagine the country to be in an actual state of war- 
fare. There is a constabulary mansion erected within 
an average radius of every three miles throughout the 
length and breadth of the populated portion of the 
whole island. These buildings which are decidedly the 
neatest and most costly in their vicinity, contain from 
ten to twenty-five men each. Besides these, there are 
countless police huts improvised for the accommodation 
and protection of land-gentry and their agents who have 
made themselves obnoxious in the eyes of the tenantry. 
Members of the constablery are also drafted to replace 
families who have been evicted from their homesteads. 
Every district is taxed pro rata for the maintenance of 
emergency men and extra police, in such a manner that 
the landlords are exempt, while the tenant farmers are 
held responsible. 

Mr. John Ellis, M. P., declared before the House of 
Commons (Dec, '88), "That if the government ruled 
Ireland with a respectable regard for the wishes of the 
people, it would save ^1,000,000 ($5,000,000) it was 
then expending on the constablery."* In 187 1, the ex- 
penses of the force were 3s. 4d. per head; in '76, 3s. 
1 id.; in '81, 4s. 7d., and in 1888, 6s. per head. These 

* "The Government," says John Dillon, M. P., "expends 
,£1,500,000 a year for police, and but ^800,000 for education." 



60 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

figures only refer to country districts. To estimate the 
amount of municipal police tax, one instance will suffice. 

In the city of Limerick there are seven constabularies 
and five military barracks, the latter being the rendezvous 
for more than a thousand soldiers. The almost inter- 
minable lines of infantry and cavalry that may be seen 
each morning marching or drilling in glittering uniform 
warrant the assumption of rebellion or hostile invasion. 
We venture to assert that Limerick, with 38,000 inhabi- 
tants, scarcely sufficient to require municipal franchise > 
has within its precincts more constablery and military 
than Chicago with its million inhabitants. 

Policeman are so engrossed with castle espionage that 
they frequently fail to arrest disorderly or drunken men 
in the public streets. Although to a stranger it is inex- 
plicable, yet it is a notorious fact that in those localities, 
where the League of the Cross has been established, 
policemen chiefly abound. If by such policy, the Chief 
Secretary aims at political capital, he might outrival the 
Prince of Darkness. In every civilized country, police- 
men are, ex-officio, friendly towards the populace; in 
Ireland, they are the avowed enemies of the people, and 
in numerous instances, paid spies of the British govern- 
ment.* Their promotion entirely depends on the cubic 
measure of their anti-Nationalist prejudice. 

* Although apparently preposterous, it has been frequently observed 
that even domestic animals seem to hold the Irish police in disdain; 
while little and large dogs incessantly snarl or bark as they approach 
and pass, the Irish gander seldom fails to make an impression on the 
nether extremities of some constable in Her Majesty's service. This 
notorious aversion to the constabulary probably afforded a theme for 
the popular but proscribed ballad entitled "The Peeler and the 
Goat." 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 61 

Who has not heard of the famous, or rather infamous 
Judge William Keough? This apostate patriot with 
John Sadlier (a London merchant) actually concocted 
the most dangerous secret society ever known in Ire- 
land, the "Finian Brotherhood." This society was sub- 
sequently organized (in 1858) by John Mitchell, James 
Stephens and O'Meagher. From the position of con- 
stable, Keough, after his apostasy, was raised to the 
Judge's bench; before whom, in 1865, some of the first 
Finian organizers, Messrs. Luby, O'Leary and O'Dono- 
van Rossa were tried and condemned to life-long penal 
servitude. The wily Peter O'Brien, designated by the 
ignoble sobriquet of " Peter the Packer," was promoted 
Judge, from being an insignificant barrister, and re- 
cently "Lord Chief Justice," for his jury-packing pro- 
clivities. Avowed hostility to the national cause is the 
only ostensible qualification for the preferment of Judges 
Litton, Webb and Kisley. Judge Waters who has re- 
cently reversed some "removable" sentences, has hereby 
debarred himself from any position in the privy council 
or lord-lieutenant's household. Cols. Foster, Clifford- 
Lloyd, (Cecil-Roche), Turner and a thousand other 
political mushrooms have been selected by the govern- 
ment for their antiseptic abhorrence of Home Rule. 

At every railway station in Ireland, two or more 
policemen are deputed to watch all in-coming and out- 
going trains. Unlike the English, and indeed all well 
regulated constablery, they bear no numbers, so that 
their identity, in case of their conduct being questioned, 
cannot be established. Many police officers receive ex- 
travagant pay in lieu of a bribe, to induce them to per- 
form deeds hostile to their countrymen. Hence, on 
frequent occasions, they have wantonly insulted and 



62 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

truncheoned harmless citizens, intruded themselves into 
private dwellings, and disturbed Catholic worship. 
Were it not for the interference of the Priests and the 
tolerant attitude recommended by Mr. Parnell and his 
colleagues, the people would have long since resisted. 
And in case they should resist, the police were em- 
powered, (as they have frequently done) to fire and kill 
indiscriminately. Baron Dowse himself (a bitter oppo- 
nent of Home Rule) protested against the unnecessary 
violence and ridiculous espionage of the Irish consta- 
blery. In Nov., '88, an Irish constable (Sullivan) had 
the hardihood to serve a writ of summons on the honor- 
able David Sheehy, M. P., within the precincts of the 
House of Commons. At Fermoy, Miltown-Malbay and 
other places, it was attested in court that the police were 
endeavoring to purchase goods for the purpose of forc- 
ing the shop keepers to violate the law by their refusal. 
The infamous informer Cullinan is still in the police 
force. Mr. Ellis, M. P., proved to the House of Com- 
mons that the Irish tax payers were paying ^"400 
($2,000) a week for the extraordinary service of the 
constablery at evictions. The expenses of extra police 
in Lord Clanricarde's estate amount to ^1,700 a year; 
the county Clare alone was mulcted ^6,000. A com- 
pensative tax has been levied for the widows of In- 
spector Martin and Constable Whelehan who organized 
the Sexton outrage. The extra police tax for the year 
1886, amounted to ,£53,493. In December, '88, during 
the Parnell Commission, an Irishman named Pat Molloy 
was summoned before the commissary judges. It trans- 
pired during the cross-examination, that the govern- 
ment officials believed that this Molloy was the same 
individual of the name who was implicated in the 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 63 

Phoenix Park assassination. An agent of the London 
Times was sent to him for the purpose of extorting a 
confession. Molloy, dissimulating his identity, insinu- 
ated that he could reveal astounding secrets, inculpating 
Parnell, Davitt, and prominent Leaguers. He refused 
to accompany the Times' agent to London until he had 
secured eleven pounds which he said he owed, and must 
pay before leaving Ireland. Having received the 
money, he immediately sent five pounds of it to the 
Parnell Fund. When reproached by Attorney General 
Webster for having thus deceived the agent, he lacon- 
ically retorted: "He tried to entrap me, I succeeded in 
trapping him." 

Note. For this offence, Molloy was sentenced to six months* 
imprisonment. 



Chapter x. 



THE LAND OR NATIONAL LEAGUE, BOYCOTTING, Etc. 



THE Irish people, seeing that the government failed 
to sympathize with their national aspirations, and 
having learned from experience, that Gladstone's Land 
Bill and Compensation Act did not retrieve their past, 
or allay their present grievances, were naturally dis- 
posed to lend themselves to any movement which pur- 
ported to insure the maintenance and ratification of 
their rights. 

Being, however, descended from ancestors who had 
submitted to untold cruelties in opposing every measure 
that conflicted with their national faith, they were con- 
sequently averse to associations disapproved or con- 
demned by Catholic authority. Hence, only apostate 
or luke warm Catholics cared to enroll themselves mem- 
bers of secret or oath-bound confraternities, such as 
Finianisnt) Ribbonism, Whiteboyism, and later on Clan-na- 
Gaels. These physical Force Associations never found 
favor with a majority of the Irish people. 

It was otherwise with organizations that had the 
approval of the Catholic church and clerical coopera- 
tion. The Land or National League was such an insti- 
tution. In 1879, there existed in Dublin a Tenants' 
Defence Association, who inscribed on their programme 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 65 

the three famous F's: free sale, fair rent, and fixity of 
tenure. This association was first established at Ballin- 
asloe, Co. Galway, by Mr. Mathew Harris. It must be 
remembered that Gladstone's Land Bill did not include 
fixity of tenure; it also failed to notice the condition of 
arrears. Hence, landlords taking advantage of these 
covert, or rather overt omissions, have evicted by thou- 
sands, insolvent tenants, as also tenants who had been 
in arrears. The first germ of the Land League might 
be said to have sprung from the Dublin branch. The 
Land League proper, or the League systematically or- 
ganized was first established at Irishtown, Co. Galway, 
by Mr. Michael Davitt, aided by Mr. Brennan, October 
22d, 1879. Mr. Davitt, universally acknowledged the 
" Father" of the Land League, an ex-convicted Finian, 
was the son of a poor farmer who was dispossessed from 
his homestead while he was yet a child. Although not 
nominally implicated in the allegations of "Parnellism 
and Crime," nevertheless, he defended his own case be- 
fore the Commission, concluding with an oration whose 
depth and eloquence elicted the approbation of the 
Commissary Judges. 

Mr. Charles Stewart Parnell,* the acknowledged head 
of the Home Rule party, impersonating the ardor of the 
Celt and sagacity of the Saxon, has been a staunch 
advocate and promoter of the National League. A 
native of Ireland (Avondale, Co. Wicklow) of Anglo- 
Saxon descent, and a Protestant, he is justly regarded 

* Mr. C. S. Parnell is a descendant of the English poet Parnell, 
and of John and Henry Parnell who stoutly supported Grattan in his 
struggles against the Union. He is the recognized head of the 
Home Rule party. He was elected a member of the House of Com- 
mons in 1875. 



6G HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

one of the first statesmen of the British empire. Be- 
sides his obstructive policy in the House of Commons, 
his shrewd avoidance of political traps set to ensnare 
him, would lead one to believe that the Stars as well as 
the Graces connived at his diplomacy. At the first 
Land League meeting he attended (1879) at Westport, 
he openly advised the tenants to let the landlords see 
they intended to keep a "firm grip of the land." These 
words, though of monosyllabic simplicity, were subse- 
quently inscribed in the banner of the League, and were 
destined to be the death-knell of landlordism. 

In a very short time, branches of the League were 
established in every parish and district throughout Ire- 
land. The land movement became amazingly popular 
with peasant and citizen, rich and poor.* In further- 
ance of the movement, Mr. Parnell, accompanied by Mr. 
John Dillon, M. P., decided to go to America. Their 
reception in the States was a series of enthusiastic 
ovations. At Washington, the House of Representa- 
tives, by a derogation of rule heretofore without prece- 
dent, authorized the Irish Delegates to address the 
House. Financially, their tour was even more success- 
ful. Three hundred and sixty thousand dollars were 
subscribed, and entrusted to Mr. Parnell. This amount 
was mostly expended on those who had suffered from 
the famine which prevailed at the time. 

Lest the reader should confuse the Land League, the 
National League and Home Rule associations, it is per- 
tinent to premise they are synonymical terms. When 
the Land League was proscribed by the government, by 

* Branches of the Land League were established in every impor- 
tant city of England, Scotland, America and Australia. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. G7 

way of subterfuge, it assumed the name of " National 
League;" whilst the first articles in the constitution of 
both Leagues advocated national autonomy or Home 
Rule for Ireland. It was this latter phase of the 
League's character that rendered it so detestable in the 
estimation of the Tories. The popularity of the Land 
League and Home Rule movement was not confined to 
Ireland. Some of the greatest statesmen of England 
and Scotland ranked themselves with the Parnellites. 
The ex-prime Minister of England, W. E. Gladstone, 
the ex-Viceroy of Ireland, Earl Spencer, the orator 
and distinguished historian, John Morley, M. P., the 
Journalist Labouchere, M. P., and a galaxy of other 
great English diplomats, espoused the cause of self 
government for Ireland. 

In mentioning the chief promoters of the League in 
Ireland it would be unjust to omit the names of Arch- 
bishops Walsh of Dublin, Croke of Cashel, Loague of 
Armagh and MacEvelly of Tuam. Indeed, the efficiency 
of the Episcopate and Priesthood should never be for- 
gotten in the annals of Irish patriotism. Their influence 
contributed much towards keeping the fire of patriotism 
burning in the heart of the nation. While we thus give 
superior credit to the Irish clerisy, it would be unjust to 
conceal or ignore the supreme merits of the secular 
patriots, amongst whom we shall especially mention, 
besides the aforementioned leaders, Parnell, Davitt, Dil- 
lon, Brennan and Harris, Mr. Redmond, Mr. Joseph 
Biggar (a Belfast merchant), Messrs. Harrington, Sex- 
ton, a native of Waterford, and ex-Mayor of Dublin, Mr. 
Wm. O'Brien and Hon. T. D. Sullivan, whose songs "God 
save Ireland," "Murty Hines," and "A Toast to Old Ire- 
land," are incorporated amongst the nation's souvenirs. 



68 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

After the insertion of Home Rule, the minor articles 
of the Land League constitution inculcated Mr. Par- 
nell's caution " To keep a firm grip of the land;" to exer- 
cise every lawful resistance in defence of homestead, 
and under no circumstances to lease or occupy land 
from which a tenant was unjustly evicted. Land-grab- 
bing was to be regarded as the foulest stain that could 
tarnish the national escutcheon. An intruder, occupy- 
ing a tenant's house or farm, was to be socially ostra- 
cised or Boycotted, a word borrowed from the name of 
the first victim who was excommunicated by the League. 

It was against the spirit of the League to buy from, 
sell to, or associate with, a boycotted person, except 
where his life was jeopardized. Each member of the 
League was required to contribute a monthly, or bi- 
monthly instalment; besides, he was frequently taxed 
to contribute other dues, when extraordinary occasions 
demanded them. This money was deposited in a central 
fund, located in Dublin (Mr. T. Harrington was treas- 
urer in '89), and was chiefly used for the support of 
evicted tenants, the building of improvised huts for their 
shelter, &c. In Land-League meetings crime of every 
nature and grade was severely denounced. Parnellites 
regarded the commission of social and agragrian. crimes 
the severest attacks on their policy.* That nothing crim- 
inal or immoral should be tolerated by the League is 
evident from the fact that most of its branches were 
directed by Priests of acknowledged prudence and prob- 
ity. In rural districts few of the peasantry were capable 

* Mr. Parnell, when first apprized of the Phoenix Park assassina- 
tion, was so horrified that he contemplated resigning the leadership 
of the Home Rule party. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 



69 



of presiding over such assemblies ; men who spent their 
lives in the field or farm could not be expected to be 
expert in parliamentary rules and by-laws. Hence, when 
and wherever available, Priests were elected to the 
chair, being more eligible by reason of their education, 
as also their influence in suppressing petty quarrels and 
jealousies that frequently occurred in and out of such 
meetings. Indeed, many of the League branches would 
have disbanded, or segregated into various political 
cliques, if it were not for the efficient cooperation of the 
Priesthood. 

N. B. The central branch of the League was empowered to decide 
the questions of all agrarian difficulties, and when advisable, to sus- 
pend or rescind any recalcitrant branch. 




(%APTER XI. 



THE PLRN OF CJUVIPJLIGN JLND PRPRL RESCRIPT. 



THE numerous cruel evictions that took place in 
recent years for the non-payment of arrears and 
impossible rents induced several Irish tenant-farmers 
to adopt defensive, if not retaliative measures against 
their oppressors. Under such auspices, Mr. John Dil- 
lon, M. P., invented the famous Plan of Campaign in 
the autumn of 1886. Descended from chivalrous and 
high born ancestry, this impassioned orator almost out- 
rivalled Mr. Parnell in the hearts of the Irish people. 
Seeing the apathy and inability of the land-court to 
grapple with agrarian grievances, he advised the tenants 
to combine for a reduction of rent, and the reinstate- 
ment of evicted tenants. The Plan struck the key-note 
of Irish enthusiasm, and soon became the offensive and 
defensive watch-word of the peasantry in every barony 
of the nation. Its efficiency surprised both victors and 
victims. However, when its primitive weapons are care- 
fully examined, it appears that the Plan differs from old 
Land-League combinations, merely in detail, but not in 
principle. 

The tenants who join the Plan deposit their rents in 
what is technically called the "War C/iest"--they hand 
over their rents to some trust worthy neighbor — fre- 
quently, to the Priest of the parish who retains the funds 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 71 

thus confided to him, until the difficulty between land- 
lord and tenant is adjusted. Those who prove false to 
the "Plan" forfeit the moneys they deposited. The 
Plan is called into action where one or more tenants 
have been unjustly evicted, or when a reasonable re- 
duction of rent demanded, is refused by the landlord. 
In such, and similar cases, the tenants pay no rent until 
their demands or deserts are complied with. Father 
Mathew Ryan and Mr. Thomas Moroney of Herberts- 
town, Co. Limerick, were the first persons committed to 
prison for court contempt (the latter was kept in jail 
twenty-four months) for refusing to divulge the location 
of the "War Chest." 

It is scarcely a metaphor to say that, for a time, the 
Plan set the Irish heart on fire, and that Mr. William 
O'Brien was its most formidable firebrand. We have 
too much respect, however, for this eloquent, and we 
might say martyr-patriot, to insinuate that he exercised 
his influence without reason or cause, for he had both; 
although his frail body is little better than a human 
shell, yet the ardor of his eloquence prevailed and was 
justly applauded by sympathizers, not only at home, but 
throughout England, Scotland, Australia and Canada. 

As the moral features of the Plan of Campaign and 
Boycotting have been questioned by the highest author- 
ity in the Catholic church, it will be interesting to know 
why both, at present, are tolerated by the clergy and 
maintained by the Irish people, who have never swerved 
from their adhesion to Catholic doctrine. At first sight 
it would appear that the Plan directly militates against 
that freedom necessary to constitute a lawful contract, 
whilst Boycotting seems to infringe on the exercise of 
human liberty. 



72 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

Since this is a very delicate question, few critics being 
capable of advancing a reliable decision, we doubt if our 
solution will prove satisfactory, especially when it is 
understood that some of the leading theologians in Ire- 
land and elsewhere entertain conflicting, if" not opposite 
opinions on this subject. It has been maintained that 
the Plan of Campaign in no wise differs from the 
u Trades Unions" of England and America. But let us 
discuss the question by first examining an actual, rather 
than a hypothetical case, viz: Mr. Ponsonby, or Lord 
Clanricarde owns an estate consisting of several thou- 
sand acres which are sub-let to a certain number of 
tenant-farmers who pay a certain rent. That the owner 
should have a right to demand rent, or sell his lands to 
whom he please, is the dictate of common justice. 

This mooted land question must be divided into Legal 
and moral ownership; the landlords have unquestionably 
a legal title; the tenants claim a moral title which they 
consider unlawful to ignore or confiscate. 

We admit, there is little or no hesitation about evict- 
ing an insolvent tenant in England or America. The 
sheriff immediately dispossesses him. It is different in 
Ireland, for the reason there is a dual ownership in the 
land. Tenants who improve land worth only five shil- 
lings an acre (when first occupied) to a condition which 
rendered it worth twenty-five shillings an acre, consider 
they have a right to the fruit of their industry. Land 
improvement may occur in various ways, viz: by drain- 
ing, fencing, fertilizing, building upon, etc. Irish 
families regard it unwarranted confiscation to sell their 
property or evict them from farms which they, and pos- 
sibly three generations of their ancestors, drained, 
fenced, fertilized and built upon. In numerous cases, 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 73 

Irish farmers have large families; they seldom work 
outside their own holdings; they justly believe the land- 
lord should appreciate, and remunerate them for their 
united toil. Instead of rewarding however, landlords 
in the past have invariably advanced their rentals com- 
mensurate with the tenants' improvements, thus obliging 
them to purchase their own industry. Eviction stared 
them unless they complied, at least in part, leaving im- 
possible arrears in the land agent's books, a legacy 
that forced thousands, yea, hundreds of thousands to 
emigrate to Australia and America. 

We allow, the newly constituted Land Courts have 
made considerable reductions in rent, but it was not 
native benevolence that induced them, but the Plan of 
Campaign that forced them to these desperate conces- 
sions. Recently, when the price of stock advanced in 
Ireland, the land commissioners refused to lower the 
rents; an event which induced the Irish Bishops, Doctor 
McCarthy, the veteran Bishop of Cloyne, and Dr. Fitz- 
gerald, to write to Mr. Lane, M. P., (Jan. 28, '89) com- 
plaining of the judgment of the land commissioners. 
Mr. John Dillon, M. P., in a recent speech said " That 
as soon as the Tory government came into power, they 
authorized Lord Londonderry to appoint land commis- 
sioners." Although ostensibly indifferent, this is really 
a vituperative sarcasm; for Lord Londonderry* is an 
unsavory landlord himself, having had much difficulties 
with his tenantry. Considering these adjuncts, it is too 
much to expect of human nature, that this peer should 
be an impartial umpire in the appointment of trust- 
worthy commissioners. Under such circumstances, the 

* This peer owns 30,000 acres in Ireland. 
4 



74 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

tenant-farmers, having no impartial tribunal to which 
they might appeal, felt they had only one resource left, 
self-defence in the Plan of Campaign. Rather than go 
to the poor house or emigrant ship, (the latter not 
always available) they felt that they were not sinning 
against divine or natural law in combining to resist those 
who threatened to rob them of their lands, their homes, 
and the fruit of their life long industry. 

For similar reasons they exercised Boycotting against 
land grabbers or selfish cormorants who took evicted 
farms, since their action was the fellest stroke against 
their self-defensive attitude. 

THE PAPAL RESCRIPT. 

Owing to repeated complaints sent to Rome, many of 
which were under the tutelage of the Duke of Norfolk 
and Lord Errington, the present Pope Leo XIII sent 
over to Ireland a distinguished member of the papal 
household, Mons. Persico, to examine the difficulties 
that existed between the British government and the 
Land League. It has been stated, that being misled by 
castle influence, he reported adversely to the national 
cause. In either event, His Holiness issued a rescript, 
addressed to the Bishops of Ireland, condemning Boy- 
cotting and the Plan of Campaign. The Hierarchy and 
people of Ireland received it with all the deference due 
to a papal mandate, but contended that it was obtained 
by misrepresentation, and that in any event its damna- 
tory clauses were conditional, and that the objectionable 
features reported did not exist in the Plan of Campaign 
or policy of the Irish leaders. Hence, the Irish Hie- 
rarchy, with the exception of Dr. O'Dwyer, Bishop of 
Limerick, were reticent in regard to the rescript. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 



75 



M. De Pressense, in his recent history, L' Irlande et 
l'Angleterre, (page 552) repeats what O'Connell once 
ventured to assert, "That although the Irish people are 
willing to receive religious, they are not disposed to re- 
ceive political instruction from Rome." 




(%APTER XII. 



IRISH JURIES AND COURTS OF JUSTICE. 



WHETHER there are impartial and justly consti- 
tuted courts wherein the people can find redress, 
as the Papal Rescript insinuated, may be seen from a 
perusal of the following evidence. His Lordship, the 
Bishop of Raphoe, writing to Mr. Gray, Editor of the 
Dublin "Freeman," regarding the trial of Father 
McFadden, and others charged with the murder of In- 
spector Martin, made the following indictment: 

Letterkenny, 28th October, 1885. 

Dear Mr. Gray: — What you state of the conduct of the prosecu- 
tion at Maryborough is, I regret to say, only too true. The worst 
anticipations of the Archbishops have come to pass. Their just pro- 
tests, in the interests of a fair trial, against straining the forms of 
law to secure a conviction at any cost, have been treated with silent 
contempt at every stage; for the principles these protests embody 
have been steadily ignored. The prisoners are taken to a far distance 
from their homes for trial among utter strangers; they are not being 
tried by a jury of their peers, but by a special jury of the Queen s 
County; and on the special jury their religion is practically banned. 
With panels of convenient length to draw upon, the Crown can select 
a jury to its own liking, and Catholics obviously are not up to the 
taste of those who at present represent the Crown. 

►J* Patrick O'Donnell. 



HrSTOUY OF IRELAND. 77 

Regarding the tampering of juries, a Mr. Smellie, an 
Englishman and a Protestant, inserted the following 
complaint in last year's "Dublin Freeman" (1889): 

"In the question which Mr. MacDonald put to the 
Chief Secretary last Thursday, he mentioned my name 
as the special juror at Maryborough Assizes who, after 
he had been sworn to try the Kerry murder case, said 
in open court, "I object to try a man for his life on a 
packed jury;" and Mr. Balfour said in his reply that as 
I had found a verdict against Hickey I appeared to have 
changed my mind. I beg to contradict this. My mind 
is still the same as when I made my protest to the 
judge. I object to try a man for his life on a packed 
jury. I maintain that the jury was packed. It consisted 
of eleven Protestants and only one Catholic. It is true 
we found a verdict against Hickey in accordance with 
the evidence, but this does not prove that the jury was 
not packed. I consider it a gross insult that every 
second man on the special jury panel should be ordered 
to " stand aside," and I say it is not only insulting to 
the special jurors but it is an outrage on the British 
constitution of which the jury system is a gem. I am 
an Englishman and a Protestant, of over thirty-seven 
years residence in Ireland, and I have observed since 
the last Coercion Act was passed that jury-packing has 
been systematically carried out in Maryborough, partic- 
ularly in those cases where the venue has been changed. 
Those who uphold this system seem entirely to forget 
that in order to govern wisely we must above all things 
govern justly. How can we expect loyalty from an 
Irishman treated in this way when narrow-minded 
officials have power to strain and pervert them." 



78 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

When the Attorney-General, Sir Richard Webster, 
asked Mr. Wm. O'Brien, M. P., why he did not denounce 
crime in Ireland, the latter replied before the Parnell 
Commissioners "That it was impossible to determine 
what was, and what was not crime in Ireland, since the 
whole administration was in the hands of two infamous 
men; one, the chief director of the detective depart- 
ment, was sentenced for a variety of crimes; the other 
was fined $40,000 for cruelty and injustice to his wife." 

Hon. Thomas Sexton, M. P., in his exposure of the 
nefarious methods used in the oppression of the Irish 
race, says of the Irish National League: "A cause with 
such a record cannot fail; the best faculties of our own 
race have been expended in its service, the best blood of 
our people has been shed in its behalf, men have served 
the cause who have made the prison cell a shrine of 
fame and the scaffold a place of honor.'' 

We will enumerate a few further examples of alleged 
"Law and Order" in Ireland: 

1. The following evidence of jury-packing was sub- 
mitted by Mr. T. M. Healy, M. P., and appeared in the 
Dublin "Freeman" of '89: 

"In the case of a Thomas Higgins, fifty-four Catholic 
jurors were rejected, and the prisoner declared 'guilty;' 1 
in the case of Pat Higgins, also found 'guilty,' forty 
were rejected; in the case of Pat Joyce (hanged) thirty- 
nine; in the case of Joe Poole (hanged) forty-seven; in 
the case of Francis Hines (hanged) twenty-six, in the 
case of Miles Joyce (hanged) twenty-eight jurors were 
ordered to stand aside, almost all being rejected on 
account of their Catholicity." 

2. During the Lough Mask trial, when the jury found 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 79 

a verdict of "guilty" against Mr. Pat Higgins, one of 
three indicted for murder, Judge O'Brien (now Chief 
Justice O'Brien) prejudiced the case of the two remain- 
ing prisoners by announcing before the jury " I consider 
it my duty that I believe the convicted prisoner to be 
the least culpable of those indicted for this murder." 

3. In Pressense's l'lrlande et l'Angleterre, (page 
441), we read: "Two hundred men were sworn in to 
decide a certain case under the Crimes Act. The list 
presented nine Catholics to one Protestant; the Crown 
solicitor succeeded in rejecting the Catholics, substitut- 
ing a jury consisting of eleven Protestants and one 
Catholic." 

4. The same author states (page 412) that, in numer- 
ous cases, prisoners accused of capital crimes, were 
brought before tribunals and condemned, whilst as far 
as they were cognizant, their trial and accusation might 
have been conducted in Hebrew, since they only spoke 
the Celtic tongue, and had no interpreter. One of the 
prisoners being informed in court of his conviction, ex- 
claimed, "It is a slaughter house." 

The Pall-Mall Gazette, commenting on this convic- 
tion, stated: "No impartial person can deny that, in 
this case, there has been jury-packing and oppression 
which would not be tolerated in England." 

And, here we would observe that, if an article such as 
the above, appeared in an Irish newspaper, the editor 
would be prosecuted for libel. 

5. The late Mr. Ed. Dwyer Gray, editor of the Dub- 
lin "Freeman" having made some comments on the 
exclusion of Catholics from juries, and referring to cer- 
tain members of a jury who were drunk the night before 
they found a verdict of "guilty" against the accused, 



80 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

was mulcted by Judge Lawson the sum of £$co 
($2,500). 

6. Mr. William O'Brien, M. P., editor of "United 
Ireland," was sued for seditious libel under the provis- 
ions of an obsolete code of Edward III; whilst a Mr. 
Denis McNamara, a respectable shopkeeper of Ennis, 
Co. Clare, was imprisoned for advertising on his shop 
window, the sale of "United Ireland." 

7. Mr. Foster, when Chief Secretary of Ireland, en- 
deavored to convict the leaders of the ladies' Land 
League under another obsolete statute of Edward III, 
enacted chiefly against prostitutes and vagabonds. 
Having failed in this attempt, Mr. Clifford Lloyd suc- 
ceeded in convicting Miss Kirk to three months im- 
prisonment, and the Misses McCormack, Reynold, 
Moore and Mary O'Connor to six months each. Since 
they could not in common decency, be charged under 
the statute of Edward III, they were condemned for 
intimidation. Their intimidation consisted in their de- 
voting a portion of their League funds towards the 
erection of huts for evicted tenants. While in prison, 
these respectable ladies were closeted in their cells 
during twenty-two hours of each day, being allowed 
only two hours' fresh air and exercise. (Pressense). 

8. During the process of an eviction on the land of 
a Mr. Blake, a young girl, named Ellen McDonough,. 
and an old woman of sixty-five, a Mrs. Deare, were 
mortally wounded by the police. The jury returned a 
verdict of wilful murder against certain constables, yet 
no punishment followed. 

9. Oct. 5, 1889. A Tipperary district Inspector, sur- 
rounded by some twenty policemen, ordered a certain 
constable to fire on a crowd of unarmed boys who were 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 81 

amusing themselves on the street. One of the number, 
was instantly killed. The coroner's jury returned the 
following verdict: "That the said Stephen Heffernan 
met his death by a wound inflicted by constable Tuohey, 
of the R. I. C; and we find that John Colles Carter, 
district Inspector, did aid, counsel, and direct said John 
Tuohey to commit wilful, felonious and malicious kill- 
ing." As might be expected, no conviction or punish- 
ment followed. 

10. Sergeant J as. Beyers, R. I. C, fired at a fishing 
boat which was sailing on the river Bann. The owner 
of the boat, Jas. Robinson, his son and a Mr. Campbell 
(Nationalists) accompanied by the parish Priest deliber- 
ately swore that they saw the sergeant fire three shots 
at the boat. The sergeant alone, testified that the 
whole charge was a fabrication. The jury, after some 
deliberation, dismissed the case. But this is not the 
end. The Crown has commenced proceedings against 
these three men for perjury, and will undoubtedly con- 
vict them before an Armagh jury. (Dublin Freeman, 
Oct., '89). 

11. " Dublin Freeman," Nov. 10, '89. Ladies sum- 
moned for laughing. A Tipperary correspondent says 
that on Tuesday, the police there were busily engaged 
serving summonses on a number of most respectable 
young ladies, commanding them to answer a charge of 
riotous behavior which, it is alleged, consisted of a laugh 
given at the police who were in the rear of a proces- 
sion.* 

* Last December, '89, a ballad singer and his wife were sentenced 
to three months' imprisonment for singing a ballad, entitled " We'll 
all go to Ireland when the landlords go." 



82 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

12. Three English M. Ps., Messrs. Blunt, Harrison 
and Conybeare, were imprisoned, the former for publicly 
advocating the Plan of Campaign; the two latter for 
supplying food to a family who had re-entered their 
home from which they had been evicted. 

We will waive further reference to these deplorable 
specimens of "Law and Order," by a resume of the Par- 
nell Judicial Commission. 

13. The Parnell Commission, (continued during 
128 sessions, and ending November 22d, 1889). 

A careful reader of the reports of this long and 
wearisome investigation, cannot fail to regard it as a 
judicial farce, instituted for political purposes chiefly 
aiming to crush Parnellite influence and suppress Home 
Rule aspirations. 

Before the Commissary Judges sat, Sir William Har- 
court, then Secretary of State of the Interior, relying 
solely on informer Carey's evidence, did not hesitate to 
boast that "he would take the starch out of the boys," 
meaning Parnell and his colleagues. Mr. Foster ex- 
pected to implicate Mr. Parnell as a moral accomplice 
in the Phoenix Park assassination (of Cavendish and 
Burke, May 6, '82). Hence, as early as the 6th of May, 
'8$, he insinuated before the House of Commons, that 
Mr. Parnell was an accomplice. The London "Times," 
commenting on Mr. Foster's accusation, stated: "The 
severe accusation of Mr. Foster had fallen on Mr. Par- 
nell like the blow of a whip on a man's face." The 
Irish Nation revolted against the charge, and in evi- 
dence of their resentment, prepared a testimonial headed 
by the patriotic Archbishop of Cashel, amounting to 
^40,000 ($200,000). 

Direct as well as circumstantial evidence has shown 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 83 

that Pigott, (the infamous forger) was not the only mali- 
cious abettor of "Parnellism and Crime."* It has been 
averred that he was but a tool employed to work out 
the destruction of the Irish party, and has been sarcas- 
tically insinuated that when he blew out his brains in 
Madrid, he revealed a more sensitive conscience than 
the "Times" who prosecuted without remorse or 
scruple. From cross-examination and other evidence, 
it has transpired that Mr. Houston, who purchased 
the Parnell-Egan letters for the " London Times," 
knew they were forgeries. The government appeared 
to be, and undoubtedly was, acting in collusion with 
the "Times" in the accusation of Mr. Parnell and his 
colleagues, by lending them their greatest barrister, 
Sir Richard Webster, the Attorney-General. His entire 
course of direct and cross-examination clearly evinced 
that he was not engaged to calmly investigate, but 
rather to rigorously prosecute. Accordingly, he pro- 
longed his suit with all subtle tenacity and legal quib- 
bling of a shrewd barrister and bigot. The evident bias 
of the President of the Commission, Sir James Hannan, 
and his associate Judges (Day and Smith) has been ad- 
versely commented upon by the Tory, as well as the 
liberal English press. They concurred with the advo- 
cates of the "Times," demanding a strict investigation 
of all Land League, Clan-na-Gael and I. R. B. associa- 
tions, not only in Ireland, but in England, France and 
America. Agrarian crimes and outrages were unraveled 
as if the alleged perpetrators were on trial for their 
lives. Land League books, bank accounts and other 

* Mr. Flanigan, son of Judge Flanigan, was the author of "Par- 
nellism and Crime," first published in London Times, April iS, '87. 



84 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

compromisory documents were exposed to the severest 
scrutiny. All this industry appeared to be devoted only 
to the Parnellite side of the question. When Sir Charles 
Russell (Parnell's eloquent advocate) demanded the in- 
spection of the I. L. P. U. documents, they were with- 
held, by consent of the Judges. The government 
opened its prison doors and summoned some of the 
most notorious criminals, such as Delaney, and Farra- 
her* to testify against Mr. Parnell and his associates. 
It is noteworthy that scarcely a respectable witness 
appeared in behalf of the "Times." Police constables 
of doubtful veracity, bailiffs, informers and spies of the 
Cary and Le Caron type were the chief witnesses sub- 
pcened by the "Times," and maintained in London for 
weeks and months at enormous expense. In the case of 
a Priest, (Rev. Peter Quinn, Tulla, Co. Clare) subpcened 
by the "Times," the Attorney-General failed to examine 
him, having learned that he intended to submit evidence 
hostile to the "Times." We have elsewhere noticed 
that a Mr. P. Molloy received eleven pounds for a vague 
promise of furnishing evidence calculated to sustain the 
case of "Parnellism and Crime;" whilst on the other 
hand, Mr. Ed. Harrington was severely mulcted for 
publishing in the "Kerry Sentinel" the recantation of 
the evidence of a "Times'" witness (O'Connor) who, in 
the presence of a Priest and Barrister, deposed on oath 
that he perjured himself in giving evidence before the 
Commission. 

Pigott himself, while in Madrid, (under the assumed 
name of Ponsonby) sent a letter to London declaring 

* Sentenced to penal servitude for life for complicity in the Phoenix 
Park assassination. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 85 

that his statements before the Commission were false, 
and that the letters purporting to be fac similes of Par- 
nell's and Egan's handwriting were forgeries distorted 
from business letters of these gentlemen in his posses- 
sion.* And, although Sir Charles Russell, (in his great 
six day speech) openly declared before the Commissary 
Judges that but for the forged letters, the libels of "Par- 
nellism and Crime" would never have appeared, still 
the Commission continued to investigate, or rather prose- 
cute, as antecedent and subsequent charges appeared to 
evince. 

Several clerical dignitaries and ladies who appeared 
for Mr. Parnell, even Parnell himself, were, if not rudely, 
at least irrelevantly cross-examined. 

The patent partiality of the Judges obliged Sir 
Charles Russell and Mr. Parnell to withdraw from the 
case. Although no verdict has yet been pronounced, 
yet the antecedent drift of judicial prejudice would lead 
us to expect a decision unfavorable to Mr. Parnell and 
the Irish cause. But the unbiased and intellectual world 
will decide in his favor; while those who have endeav- 
ored to crush his power and besmirch his name and the 
Nation's integrity, have politically and financially failed, 
Mr. Parnell and his colleagues have honorably suc- 
ceeded.! 

* These letters Pigott copied bv tracing- them over a window pane. 
The Parnell fac similes, (written nine years before) referred to the 
sale of Pigott's paper, "The Irishman." 

\ Whilst the manuscript of this little volume was in the hands of 
the printer, two very important events transpired. 

I. The London "Times" (Feb. 3, 'go) compromised with Mr. 
Parnell in his libel suit against the proprietors of that paper, allowing 
him damages amounting to ,£5,000 ($25,000), and .£1,000 ($5,000) to 



86 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

his Secretary, Mr. Henry Campbell; all expenses of the suit being 
paid by the ' ' Times." 

2. The Judges of the Parnell Commission (Feb. 13, '90) submitted 
to Parliament their final report. To the chagrin of the " Times" and 
Tories, they exonerated Mr. Parnell not only from complicity in the 
Phoenix Park assassination, (as implied in the forged letters of Pigott), 
but declared him innocent of the charges of direct or indirect incite- 
ment to crime and outrage. They likewise disproved the charges that 
while in Kilmainham prison Mr. Parnell knew that Sheridan and Boy- 
ton had been organizing outrage, and that he financially aided F. 
Byrne to escape to France. They, (the Judges) however, found Mr. 
Parnell, Mr. Davitt and some forty-four other Irish Representatives 
guilty of criminal conspiracy by their aiding and abetting boycot- 
ting, etc. 

Here, we would respectfully request the reader to remember that 
acts heretofore reputed lawful, were declared criminal conspiracies by 
the Balfourian Coercion Act of '87. The Act, amongst other things, 
made it a criminal conspiracy for a farmer to attend a Land League 
meeting in a proclaimed district. Under a pretext as plausible, it 
might declare the act of kissing his wife, a criminal conspiracy. 



(%APTER XIII. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE ALLEGED "UNION" BETWEEN GREAT 
BRITAIN AND IRELAND. 



THE bribery and greed of English merchants and 
capitalists contributed to bring about what England 
was pleased to call the "Union," but what Ireland 
always justly regarded as a further disunion of popular 
sentiment and commercial interests. Sir Gavan Duffy > 
in his "History of the Union," and still more recently, 
the French historian, M. de Pressense, have shown that 
the so-called "Union" of Great Britain and Ireland was 
an open fraud — a national farce — in which English gold 
and political intrigues played a winning part. Glad- 
stone, in one of his great speeches advocating Irish 
autonomy, (1866) declared "There was no transaction 
in the history of nations more ignoble than the estab- 
lishment of the 'Union' between Ireland and England." 
The historian Lecky ("Leaders of Public Life in Ire- 
land," page 182) wrote of the "Union" that "There 
was nothing more dishonorable in English political his- 
tory . . . the word honor appears to have no mean- 
ing in politics, if applied to Castlereagh or Pitt . . . 
the i Union' as it was voted, was a crime of the deepest 
infamy, imposed on a people who, instead of demanding, 



88 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

openly protested against it, has vitiated public life in 
Ireland." 

In 1800, O'Connell, addressing a meeting in Dublin, 
opposing the Act of "Union," said: — " Let every man 
who feels with me proclaim that if the alternative were 
offered to him of Union, or the re-enactment of the 
penal code, in all its pristine horrors, that he would pre- 
fer without hesitation the latter as the lesser and more 
sufferable evil; that he would rather confide in the 
justice of the Protestants, who have already liberated 
him, than lay his country at the feet of foreigners." 

In 1844, before a jury entirely composed of Unionists, 
O'Connell declared without contradiction that .£3,000,- 
000 were expended to purchase the vote of the "Union." 
In the "Life of Grattan," by his son, this passage is 
found with reference to the means by which Lord Cas- 
tlereagh destroyed the Irish Parliament — 

"All that could be accomplished by gold or by iron, 
by bribes, or by threats, or by promises, was set in 
motion. Every effort was straine*d to bring round those 
who were disinclined, to seduce those who were hostile 
but necessitous, to terrify the timid and bear down the 
fearless, and those who had at heart the interest and 
independence of their country. The doors of the 
Treasury were opened, and a deluge of corruption cov- 
ered the land. The Bench of Bishops, the Bench of 
Judges, the Bar, the Revenue, the army, the navy, civil 
offices, military and naval establishments, places, pen- 
sions, and titles were defiled and prostituted for the 
purpose of carrying the great Government object — this 
ill-omened Union." 

When the "Union Act" was first proposed, a petition 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 89 

bearing 707,000 names was forwarded to the House of 
Commons, whilst those who favored the "Union" could 
secure but 5,000 names. Lord Plunket, before he be- 
came Chancellor of Ireland, declared that if the " Union" 
were voted it would be null and void, and that no one 
would be bound to respect it. "I will," said he, "resist 
this measure to my last breath; and when my last hour 
approaches, I will lead my children, like Amilcar, be- 
fore the Altar and make them vow eternal hostility to 
the destroyers of the liberty of their fatherland." 

Sir George Ponsonby proposed this resolution before 
the House of Commons, in opposition to the "Union 
Act," "Resolved that the Irish Nation have a free and 
independent legislature, resident in the Kingdom, con- 
formable to the definite arrangement of 1782." After a 
debate of 20 hours this motion was lost by a vote of 
only 106 against 105. Nine-tenths of the Irish people 
who lived before, and ever since the passage of the 
"Union Act" to the present day, have been opposed to 
such a constrained coalition. 

The means employed to consummate the "Union" 
were of such a base and dubious character, that the son 
of the Duke of Portland burnt his father's papers rela- 
tive to the period of his administration as Secretary of 
State. The Chancellor of Ireland, Lord Clare, Messrs. 
Wicham, King, Mardsden and the Knight of Kerry, who 
had been engaged promoting the "Union" also de- 
stroyed the State papers that referred to this event and 
epoch. 

The Poynings Act* which required that every legisla- 
tive act, voted by the Irjsh Parliament, should receive 

* Passed at Drogheda, in 1494, under the auspices of Sir Ed» 
Poynings, Lord Deputy of Ireland. 



90 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

the royal seal and be expedited in England, before the 
Viceroy could sanction it, had been the key-note of 
Irish legislature from the days of Henry VII. Although 
only one-seventh of the population were Protestant, still 
no Catholic had a seat in the House of Lords. Of 210 
peers who possessed and exercised the voting franchise, 
40 were English without a domicile in Ireland. In like 
manner, the House of Commons was exclusively re- 
cruited from Protestants. It is easy then to see from 
these antecedents how the rights and privileges of the 
Irish Nation were betrayed and bartered. The senti- 
ments of an overwhelming majority of the inhabitants 
were ignored or disregarded. The same spirit still pre- 
vails. Except the Orange portion of the population, 
and a few isolated branches of the I. L. P. U., the entire 
population of the four provinces are opposed to the ex- 
istent bastard " Union," on which the Imperial govern- 
ment never bestowed equal rights. But the clouds that 
lowered over the nation are gradually disappearing; 
whilst the rays of liberty's sunburst have already com- 
menced to diffuse their effulgence over the North and 
South, the East and the West. 

EFFECTS OF THE " UNION." 

A vast plurality of the dying industries of Ireland 
began to decline from the passage and enforcement of 
this Act. The harbors of Cork and Galway, as also the 
fishing ports were neglected. Transatlantic shipping 
was completely monopolized by Liverpool, Bristol and 
Southampton. In 1727, an act prevailed in Ireland to 
encourage the use and manufacture of wool and linen. 
To encourage this industry the peasantry had the ma- 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 91 

terial of their under garments entirely composed of 
wool; they even clothed their dead in woolen raiment. 
They made similar efforts to promote the consumption 
of linen. At the funeral of Mr. Connolly, the Speaker 
of the Irish House of Commons, in 1729, the chief 
mourners appeared in linen scarves, a custom which is 
sacredly observed at funerals in Ireland to the present 
day. Soon after the Union, the manufacture of wool 
and flax was entirely abandoned throughout Ireland, 
except in Belfast, where the linen trade is still main- 
tained. 

In 1798, (immediately before the Union) Lord Clare 
wrote: "There is not a nation on the face of the habit- 
able globe which has advanced in agriculture, manufac- 
ture and commerce, with the same rapidity, in the same 
period, as Ireland." In this same year, the Dublin 
bankers passed this resolution: "Resolved, that since 
the renunciation of the power of Great Britain in 1782, 
to legislate for Ireland, the commerce and prosperity of 
this kingdom have eminently increased, and that we can 
attribute this blessing under Providence to the wisdom 
of the Irish Parliament." In 1785, three years after the 
Irish Parliament was established, the exports to England 
of Irish manufacture and produce amounted annually 
to two and a half million pounds sterling; whilst the 
manufactured goods bought of England did not exceed 
one million pounds, thus affording to Ireland a net gain 
of one and a half million pounds. 

Twelve years later, or three years before the "Union'* 
five and a half million pounds' worth of Irish manufac- 
ture and cattle were shipped to England; whilst Ireland 
only purchased of England to the amount of two mill- 
ions, leaving a gain to Ireland of three and a half million 



92 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

pounds per annum. The cattle traffic and manufactures 
of every kind have been monopolized by England. This 
desperate condition of the Irish nation gave rise to the 
Volunteer movement of 1778. Goaded by oppressive 
laws and legislative tyranny, the people took advantage 
of the defenceless state of the Irish coast, and the 
numerous threats of foreign invasion that then prevailed 
throughout Ireland and the Continent. In a short time, 
the Irish Volunteer army amounted to 90,000 men.* 
They represented to the government their grievances, 
and on one occasion, the Volunteer army appeared 
drawn out in battle array on the streets of Dublin, with 
cannon and musketry. On the mouths of the cannons, 
which were pointed towards the House of Parliament, 
(now the Bank of Ireland) labels bearing the inscription 

"Free trade or ." A resolution in compliance with 

this demand was unanimously voted by the House, there 
being only one dissenting vote, that of Sir R. Heron, 
Chief Secretary for Ireland. This concession was virtu- 
ally a repeal of Poyning's Act. But when England 
arose out of her international difficulties, she immedi- 
ately ignored its provisions and nullified the beneficial 
results that would follow this bold demand for legislative 
independence. 

English capitalists, jealous of the natural resources of 
the country, defeated all efforts of the Irish people to 
revive their dying industries. Hence, Ireland has been, 
and must be, until she obtains a native Parliament, 
dependent. 

* Lord Charemont co nmanded 60,000 Volunteers. 



Chapter xiy. 



DEPRESSION OF IRISH TRADE, Etc. 



IN the absence of foreign trade and commerce, it is 
regrettable that domestic trades and professions are 
not encouraged by remunerative wages. At present, a 
carpenter, tailor, shoe-maker, painter or blacksmith, can 
seldom earn more than 4 shillings ($1.00) a day, whiht 
constant employment is by no means secure; -the wages 
of common laborers who are constantly employed, ordi- 
narily, do not exceed is. 6d. (less than 40 cents) per 
diem. A school teacher, a grocery, or dry-goods-clerk, a 
book-keeper, a telegraph operator, averages an annual 
salary of ^60 ($300). Girls receive still less wages. 
Young and handsome bar-maids, (no others need apply) 
shop-girls, milliners, dress-makers and cooks seldom 
earn more than ^10 a year, with board; restaurant 
waiters and house girls average ^5 a year with "tips" 
(voluntary perquisites). In Dublin, Cork and Limerick 
the income of a barber may be estimated from his 
moderate charge of 3d. (6 cents) for shaving, and 6d. 
(12 cents) for hair-cutting or shampooning. Barbers 
who charge double these rates are patronized only by 
the aristocracy. Liquor-dealers, butchers and medical 
doctors appear to be the most prosperous class; the 



94 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 



latter, for a single visit, require a pound ($5.00), a 
charge which, if the people were dependent on their 
service, appears to be extortionate. 

In order that the reader may form an idea of " living" 
in Ireland, (1889) a glance over the following tabulated 
list may be interesting: 

First-class hotels charge transient boarders 

an average of .-(p er week) 3.00.0 ($15.00) 

Second-class " 1.10.0 ( 7.50) 

Boarding Houses " 0.12.0 ( 3.00) 

Tea, per pound, averages o. 2. 6 ( o. 50) 

Coffee (seldom used) averages o. 1. 6 ( 0.36) 

Sugar, per pound, " o. o. 4 ( 0.08) 

Beef, " " 0.0. 8 (0.16) 

Mutton, " " 0.0.8 (0.16) 

Bacon, " " 0.0.6 (0.12) 

Butter, " " 0.1.2 (0.28) 

Wheat, per stone, " 0.1.3 ( Q-3 1 ) 

Oats, " o. o. g (0.18) 

Barley, " " 0.1,0 (0.24) 

Potatoes, " (14 lbs.) averages o. o. 4 ( 0.08) 

Coal, per ton, (2,240 lbs.) " 1. 5. o ( 6.25) 

Railway travel, per mile, 1st class 0.0.2^ ( 0.04I) 

" 2nd class o. o. i£ ( 0.03) 

3rd class (board 

seats) o. o. 1 ( 0.02) 

Jarvey cars, within corporate limits, per 
hour, in Dublin 6d., elsewhere, gen- 
erally o. 1. 6 ( 0.36) 

As the prices of live cattle, such as horses, cows and 
sheep fluctuate according to the demand at every fair 
and market, it would be impossible to furnish a tabu- 
lated list of their saleable value; however, at present, 
stock can be purchased in Ireland at prices similar to 
those of this country. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 95 

There are but three (Nationalist) daily papers worthy 
of notice in Ireland: the Dublin "Freeman," the Cork 
"Herald" and Cork "Examiner." In Limerick, there 
is no daily, but two bi-weeklies, "The Munster News," 
and " Reporter " which, indeed, are puny specimens of 
journalism. 

Only two cities of Ireland, Dublin and Belfast, have 
horse cars (tram cars) or paid Fire Companies. 

As it might naturally be expected, the best salaried 
employees in Ireland are government officials. Excise 
and custom-house officers, coast guards and clerks of 
the Bank of Ireland receive a salary amounting from 
150 to 350 pounds a year. Under the government, how- 
ever, no officials appear to have such a lucrative and lazy 
livelihood as the Royal Irish Constablery. They are all 
well clad, well fed and well domiciled. Nevertheless, 
as we have already insinuated, they are very unpopular 
with the citizens and peasantry. While in Germany, 
France, America and other countries, policemen are re- 
spected in their capacity of guardians of " Law and 
Order;" in Ireland, they are shunted from every popular 
assemblage. A patriotic Irish girl would rather marry 
a spalpeen than exchange her name for that of the most 
polished peeler in Her Majesty's service. 

Although, in the preceding pages, we had no occasion 
to furnish instances wherein the British government 

Note. Lest the foregoing comments should contribute to cast 
undeserved obloquy on the entire police force, we would remind the 
reader that, as there is no rule that does not admit an exception, so 
amongst the Irish constablery, are men deserving the good-will and 
frequently the esteem of their neighbors; consequently, women marry- 
ing such men, if they fail to elevate, do not always degrade their 
caste. 



96 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

fostered or favored the civil or commercial progress of 
the Irish nation, still, it would be unfair to ignore the 
fact that several reformatory measures have been sanc- 
tioned since the passage of the "Union Act" (1801). 

The first and greatest was the ratification of O'Con- 
nell's Emancipation Act of 1826. Before the passage 
of this Act, Catholics were almost entirely disfranchised; 
they were not entitled to sit in either House of. Parlia- 
ment; they were excluded from all Universities, from 
the Bar, the Army, the Navy and civil franchise. Catho- 
lics were not permitted to possess swords or fire-arms; 
to buy or inherit lands from Protestants. A Catholic 
was not allowed to possess a horse worth more than five 
pounds; to bequeath property; to act as guardian, or to 
open or conduct a school. Priests solemnizing marriage 
between Catholics and Protestants, became liable to the 
.penalty of death; whilst apostate Priests who joined the 
English church were pensioned for life. Marriages be- 
tween Catholics and Protestants were declared null and 
void; whilst no Protestant woman, worth more than 
^£500 could marry a Catholic without forfeiting her 
estate; Catholic parents were forbidden to send their 
children to Continental as well as to Irish Catholic 
schools. 

Although many of these odious, (perhaps we might 
venture to call them barbarous) laws were not enforced 
after the "Union," still, their ultimate repeal must be 
attributed to the indefatigable efforts of the Liberator. 

The next beneficial law enacted in favor of Ireland 
was Gladstone's Disestablishment Act of 1869, which 
exonerated the people from the maintenance of churches 
and ministers of Anglican profession. The third ameli- 
orative statute was Gladstone's Compensation Act, regu- 



HISTORY OF IRKLAND. ( J7 

lating rentals, and compensating for agrarian improve- 
ments (i87o-'Si). The Acts of '85 and '87, although 
practically deficient, were also theoretically praise- 
worthy, as we shall endeavor to show in a subsequent 
chapter. The British government has also done much 
for education in Ireland. To assert the fact that the 
Irish school system is the best in Europe, and that in no 
other country of the Continent is education more liberal, 
and universally disseminated, will surprise many of our 
American readers. 

Mr. Chambers, in his " Information for the People," 
does not hesitate to aver that the Irish masses are far 
better educated than the English or Scotch. 

It must also be acknowledged that there are no gov- 
ernment statutes to mar the maintenance and progress 
of religion in Ireland at the present day. 

If we take churches and schools as a criterion of 
domestic prosperity, the aspect of the nation would ap- 
pear most satisfactory. But while these advantages 
ought to be duly appreciated, we must not forget that 
abstract education, tempered by religion, will not pro- 
vide man with food and raiment. 

While the British government fosters education, and 
never interferes with the practice or profession of relig- 
ion, by some anomalous oversight or subtle industry, it 
fails to bestow government positions on Irish Catholic 
scholars; an English churchman or a Scotch Presbyte- 
rian is invariably preferred to an Irish applicant. We 
are unprepared to decide whether it is malevolence o. 
benevolence that induces the British government to 
supply poor "Paddy" with a competence of religion, 
education and potatoes, whilst she grudgingly withholds 
the precious products of the farm and the orchard. 



98 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

Irish boys and girls, when well educated, naturally 
become disgusted with their surroundings; they prefer 
to emigrate, (just what the land-gentry desire) mean- 
while, religion teaches them submission to Law and 
abstinence from crime. 

Indeed, it has been frequently insinuated that if the 
Irish professed any other creed but Catholicity, they 
would have long since wrested themselves from the jaws 
of the British Lion. But it is a unique and a glorious 
record that the Irish people, although permitting them- 
selves to be robbed of patrimony, still clung to the 
ancient faith. 

Concluding this chapter, we consider it opportune to 
re-assert that ever since Ireland was linked to her 
stronger sister, England, so called " Law and Order" 
have been but empty names in the administration of 
civil and commercial justice. 



Chapter xv. 



FURTHER EFFECTS OF THE "UNION. 



WHILE England, France, Germany, Belgium and 
other countries name the principal streets of their 
chief cities after illustrious men or historic houses, the 
Irish chieftains and their noble deeds are completely 
ignored in their own country. 

Scotland commemorates in bronze and marble her 
Wallace; Poland, her Kosciusko; England, her Well- 
ington; America, her Washington. But in Ireland, the 
most costly and artistic' monuments are shafts, urns or 
human figures commemorative of hostile Englishmen, 
obsolete scions of Royalty, or officers of the British 
Army or Navy. In Dublin, (the Metropolis) the chief 
thoroughfares are named after such elsewhere forgotten 
English families as Sackville, Maryborough, Dorset, 
Essex, Harcourt. Passing over Carlisle and King's 
bridges, we come to Trinity College (where Catholics 
were spurned) and the Bank of Ireland, once the Irish 
House of Parliament; Nelson's pillar stands aloft, over- 
looking aristocratic Nassau, Dawson and Regent streets 
and Merrion square. 

In Limerick, the city of the "Violated Treaty," whilst 
the smallest street (about 200 feet long) is named after 
the Hero of Limerick, "Sarsfield," the two leading 



100 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

thoroughfares are called after two of the most ruthless 
royal tyrants that ever oppressed Ireland, George and 
William streets (George III and William IV). Here 
also we see erected (over Wellesley bridge) on a marble 
pedestal, a gigantic bronze statue of a Lord Fitzgibbon 
(a Ballaclava warrior); on either side of the monument 
are two huge cannons imported all the way from Russia; 
here also by a strange, if not a ludicrous coincidence, 
we find adjacent Cecil and Roclie streets. (At present, 
Cecil Roche is the most hated "Removable" in Ire- 
land). The two chief harbors of Ireland are called 
Kingston and Queenstown. Hospitals, Colleges and 
Theatres are invariably named after Royalty. "The 
George," "The Queen's," "The Prince of Wales," 
"The Imperial," "The King's Arms," "Cruise's Royal," 
and a thousand other royal etceteras are favorite names 
of hotels in Ireland. Many business houses and public 
institutions are called after men who cared no more for 
Irishmen than a blood-hound does for a fox or a fawn. 
Rack-rent gentry who caused emigration, have acted 
even worse than blood-hounds, for they leave bones 
behind. No streets, hotels, bridges or colleges worthy 
of notice are named after the great Celtic houses "The 
O'Neill's," "The O'Briens;" nor after the great Norman 
lines "The Fitzgeralds" and "Butlers." In Dublin, 
not a single street is named after Swift, Goldsmith, 
Curran, Burke, Plunket, Wadding or Sarsfield. 

Lest we should be answered in retort, we admit that 
in the United States, we have not only streets, but 
various cities named after Presidents* and other dis- 

* Washington is the seat of the Government; while Quincy, Madi- 
son, Jefferson, Lincoln, etc., are common city names in the United 
States. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 10 f 

tinguished statesmen and warriors. But these men, as 
a general occurrence, lived and fought in the country; 
whereas, in Ireland, a plurality of those " commemo- 
rated" were positively hostile to the Nation and the 
best interests of the Nation, whilst many of them never 
resided in the country or saw it except from the deck 
of a sailing vessel. 

Protestant England may well worship her native 
Heroes and Heroines; but Catholic Ireland, having a 
galaxy of her own distinguished sons and daughters, 
should not be coerced to honor the progeny of her sis- 
ter kingdoms, especially, when we consider that their 
filial intercourse was not always friendly. 

ARGUMENTS THAT APPEAR TO MILITATE AGAINST THE 

ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIVE PARLIAMENT IN 

IRELAND. 

i. A sparse population. 

Canada had a smaller population than the smallest 
province of Ireland before it obtained Home-Govern- 
ment, whilst the inhabitants who demanded it were de- 
clared rebellious. 

Belgium, where the farmer owns the soil he cultivates, 
and where all his improvements become a legacy for his 
children and posterity, is a smaller country than Ireland; 
it escaped from the grasp of Holland, a larger and more 
powerful country, and is now free. 

Norway is a smaller country; yet here, the peasant is 
prosperous and independent; he owns the soil he tills 
and has a voice in making his country's laws.* 

* Bulgaria, separating from Turkey, might also be cited. 



102 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

2. It has been alleged that England and Ireland 
should not be socially separated since they are so geo- 
graphically adjacent. Why not? England is nearer to 
France, which is a larger and richer country, yet they 
are two distinct nations. 

Portugal might be claimed by Spain; Belgium by 
France; Turkey by Russia, for greater reasons, since 
they are physically contiguous. In his plea for "Re- 
peal of the Union," O'Connell asserted that Ireland was 
fit for legislative independence in position, population 
and natural advantages. He maintained that five inde- 
pendent kingdoms of Europe possessed less territory 
and people, while her situation on the Atlantic, between 
the old and the new world, destined her to be the en- 
trepot of both, had not the wrathful jealousy of England 
rendered her natural advantages nugatory. Instead of 
the present scant population (4,500,000) Ireland is capa- 
ble of supporting 20,000,000 people. 

"No country of Europe," says a great writer, "can 
compare with Ireland in the exquisite variety of its 
scenery, in the loveliness of its green fields, in the mag- 
nificence of its lofty mountains, and in the multitude of 
its ever-flowing streams." Another writer apostro- 
phizes: "We view with amazement an island, favored 
with all the conditions of great commerce, as bare of 
commerce as if it lay on some bye-way of the world 
which enterprise has not yet reached; the noble quays 
of the Liffey would rival the Lung d'Arno, if Dublin 
were the seat of national government, at present, only 
holding a few coal-barges and fruit boats."* 

Although the lordly mansions and turretted castles 

* Sir Gavan Duffy. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 103 

that overhang the banks of the Rhine in Europe, and 
the large and prosperous cities that indent the Hudson 
in America, excel anything that art or architecture has 
done for the rivers Shannon and Blackwater (called the 
Irish Rhine); yet the romantic villas, enclosed by fra- 
grant hedges of hawthorn, lilac and woodbine, and the 
ivy-crowned ruins that nestle in the miniature forests 
that overshadow the banks of these two lovely streams, 
are incomparably more charming. The bold cliffs and 
fantastic scenery that surround Kilkee, (an Irish bathing 
resort) outrival all that nature has done for the bay of 
Newport, although the wealth of Bellevue avenue, in the 
latter city, would be more than sufficient to purchase the 
entire county Clare in Ireland. 

3. It has been advanced in objection, that the Irish 
have always been a fickle and divided people; that 
ancient History records the lives of native Kings and 
Chieftains continually at war, and the country itself 
divided, into hostile Septs, Clans, etc., and are conse- 
quently incapable of self-government. 

A majority of Ireland's national disunions might be 
traced to English perfidy. From the day the Saxon first 
set his foot upon Irish soil, he endeavored to dissemi- 
nate jealousies and hatred amongst the natives. It was 
only by such chicanery that he could expect to live and 
prosper in the country; hence, traitors and informers 
were always encouraged and rewarded, even the extant 
Tory government regards such national apostates as 
Cary, Le Caron, and Pigott, valuable promoters of its 
Irish policy. 

But overlooking past disunions, which, perhaps time 
and circumstances warranted, the present inhabitants 
of Ireland, with whom the government must negotiate, 



104 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

are almost unanimous in their demand for self-govern- 
ment. 

4. The Orangemen of Ulster and elsewhere insist on 
maintenance of the "Union," even at the risk of armed 
revolt; the Irish gentry and Protestants are naturally 
opposed to Home Rule, fearing Catholic ascendency 
would persecute, and eventually force them to leave the 
country. Although such arguments have been fre- 
quently flaunted by Col. Saunderson and other Orange 
bigots, they are, however, almost unworthy of notice. 

In the first place, Orangemen of Ulster and elsewhere 
in Ireland do not aggregate a seventh part the entire 
population. The threat of war then, is a ridiculous 
bluff. Secondly, Catholics in Ireland have never perse- 
cuted their Protestant brethren. On the contrary, in 
the past as well as at present, they have placed national 
confidence in men of that profession. Lord Charle- 
mont (who commanded the Irish Volunteers), Grattan, 
Robert Emmet, Lord Ed. Fitzgerald, James Napper 
Tandy, Flood, Dean Swift, Dr. Lucas, Molyneux — later 
on, John Mitchell and Isaac Butt, (the father of Home 
Rule) were all Protestants. 

The Protestant clergymen, William Jackson, William 
Porter, Warwick, and Stevelley, and the Catholic Priests, 
Fathers Philip Roche, John and Michael Murphy, 
Kearns, Prendegrast and Quigley, worshiping at differ- 
ent shrines, sacrificed their lives upon the same altar of 
freedom. 

Note. Dr. Madden states that the organizing leaders of the move- 
ments of '9S and '48 included Protestants and Catholics; the former 
being to the latter in the proportion of four to one. 

In addition to the above mentioned names, the following promi- 
nent advocates of Irish autonomy were Protestants: Curran, Burke, 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 



105 



At present, the chief promoters of Home Rule, Charles 
Stewart Parnell, Hon. Wm E. Gladstone, Earl Spencer, 
Lord Roseberry, Lord Aberdeen, John Morley, Sir 
Vernon Harcourt, even the late Mayor elect of Dublin 
(Winstanley), are of Protestant persuasion. 

Thomas Adis Emmet, William and Samuel Orr, Hamilton Rowan, 
Mathew Keugh, Thos. Russell and Revs. W. Steele, Dickson, But- 
ler and Ferguson. 




Sg^ffi?fef> 



5* 



Chapter xvi. 



WHAT IRISHMEN HAVE DONE FOR ANCIENT AND 
MODERN CIVILIZATION. 



THAT the people of Ireland should be incapable of 
self-government, appears to be an insolvable para- 
dox when we consider that in other countries, Irishmen 
have held the first positions in Church and State; whilst 
many of them were the leading pioneers of liberty and 
civilization. 

Long before the blood-thirsty Danes and grasping 
Normans landed upon the coasts of Ireland, the nation 
stood at the head of European civilization. As the 
morning star occupies a conspicuous place in the Heav- 
ens, so does Ireland in the galaxy of great nations. As 
early as the fifth century, Greek and Roman literature, 
sacred art and philosophy were common studies, not 
only of the monasteries, but of the undisciplined laity. 

To narrate proud facts of ancient Irish history, we 
need not unearth the mummies of the Tuatha de Danann 
warriors or disturb the ashes of the 118 Kings of the 
Milesian race whom ancient Celtic chronicles (as reliable 
as the rhapsodies of Homer or Virgil) have immortal- 
ized. To adorn fair Erin's saintly brow with a chaplet 
of precious gems, we need not go back to the halcyon 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 107 

days of Queen Mab, Oisin and Conar Mac Messa, when 
it was impossible to discriminate between the dusk of 
fable and the dawn of authentic history. We shall re- 
late a few facts that are confirmed by evidence as sacred 
as can corroborate human records. 

St. David, born of an Irish mother, was the Apostle 
of Wales; St. Columbkille, the glory of Scotland; St. 
Killian, the Apostle of Franconia; St. Nidon, the patron 
of Northumberland, were Irishmen. If France gave to 
Ireland St. Patrick, Ireland, in later years, repaid her a 
hundred fold. In the annals of the Four Masters,* we 
read that the Emperor Charlemagne appointed as rector 
of the universities of Paris and Pavia, Johannes Scotus 
Erigena (an Irishman) who afterwards became tutor of 
King Alfred the Great. Montalambert, in his "Monks 
of the West," gives a glowing account of the culture of 
Irish monasteries. A synod at Kells, A. D. 1152, under 
the papal legate, Paparo, incorporated the Irish schools 
into the ecclesiastical system of Rome. 

An able German American writer, (Rev. Wm. Stang, 
D. D.) has recently recorded in book form "Germany's 
Debt to Ireland," which acknowledges that a certain St. 
Benedict (an Irish Saint),- while sojourning in Rome was 
elected Pope, but declined the proferred dignity, and 
that Virgilius, who taught the sphericity of the earth 
long before Copernicus or Kepler, was sent from Ireland 
to Germany as Bishop of Saltzburg. Indeed, there is 
not a civilized country of Europe that does not owe a 
debt of gratitude to Ireland. 

It is a fact recorded in revised Catholic History that 

* Michael O'Clerigh, a Franciscan friar, was the Author of the 
"Annals." 



108 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

in Italy, the patron Saints of thirteen countries were 
Irishmen; Belgium venerates 50; Scotland, 76; England, 
44; France, 47; Iceland, 9, and Germany, 102. 

The State as well as the Church is indebted to Irish 
heads and hands. When Sarsfleld surrendered Limerick 
to King William of Orange, 1691, thousands of Irish 
soldiers who had fought with King James, disgusted 
with his pusillanimity and scorning to serve under the 
Hanovarian flag, joined the banners of France and 
Spain, and by their genius and bravery emblazoned their 
names on the historic page of both countries. It was 
Irishmen who decided the fortune of the day at Fonte- 
noy, and extorted from George II that memorable ex- 
clamation " Cursed be the laws that have deprived me 
of such subjects." 

" Mother of soldiers in the cause of Spain 
The Moors in Oran's trench by them were slain; 
For full one hundred years their fatal steel 
Has charged beside the lances of Castile 
And Spain, of honor jealous, gave them place 
Before her native sons in glory's race." 

"When our forefathers threw off the British yoke," 
says Wm. Mathews, LL.D.,' (a Protestant American 
writer) "the Irish formed a sixth part of the whole pop- 
ulation, and one-fourth of all the commissioned officers 
in the army and navy were of Irish descent. The first 
General killed in battle, the first artillery officer ap- 
pointed, the first commodore commissioned, the first 
victor to whom the British flag was struck at sea, and 
the first officer who surprised a fort by land, were Irish- 
men." Lord Mountjoy once declared before the British 
House of Parliament, "You have lost America through 
the Irish." As they fought for the independence of the 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 100 

United States, so they fought and helped to maintain 
the independence of South America. The footsteps of 
the Celt can be traced from the forests of Maine to the 
farthest shadows of the Andes. 

Ireland gave Wellington and Wolsey to England; 
O'Donnell* to Spain; McMahon to France; O'Hig- 
gins** and Brown f to South America; and Andrew 
Jackson, ff Carroll, Calhoun,]; Stewart and Barry (the 
father of the U. S. Navy) to the United States. Whilst 
there is a respectable library extant, the following names 
will never be ignored: Moore, Swift, Goldsmith, Burke, 
Lever, Lover, Curran, Carleton, Griffin and O'Connell. 
At present, many of the highest offices in the govern- 
ment of Australia, Canada, and the United States, as 
also the most honorable municipal positions are en- 
trusted to Irishmen.];]; . t 

Considering that in the United States and Canada, 
there are hundreds of thousands of Catholics of all civil- 
ized nationalities, Ireland may well feel proud of the 

* O'Donnell (L. O'Donel Span.) was Duke of Tetuan and Mar- 
shal of Spain. 

** Ambrose O'Higgins (called the great Viceroy of Chili) was born 
in Co. Meath, and appointed Viceroy of Chili in 1788. 

f Admiral Brown was born in Co. Mayo in 1777; he was appointed 
Commodore of the Chilian Navy in 1S14. 

ff Andrew Jackson's father emigrated from Co. Donegal in 1733. 

\ Calhoun's parents emigrated from Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim in 
1765. 

XX The late Commander in Chief of the United States Army, Gen. 
Phil. Sheridan, was an Irishman. Ex-Mayors Grace of New Vork 
and O'Brien of Boston, and the acting Mayor of New York (Grant) 
are Irishmen and Catholics. 



110 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

fact that of the fourteen Archbishops* of the United 
States (in '89), ten, including the Cardinal, are Irish or 
of Irish descent; of the seven Archbishops of Canada 
and the West Indies, four are natives of Ireland; of the 
seventy-seven Bishops who form the American Episco- 
pate, forty-two are Irish or of Irish descent. 

When we thus see the church and those wise and 
great governments conferring on Irishmen the highest 
offices in their gift, we may conclude without prejudice, 
that England fails to award their deserts to her so- 
called sister's children across the Channel. 

* His Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons (Baltimore); their Graces, 
Archbishops Corrigan (New York), Ryan (Philadelphia), Williams 
(Boston), Feehan (Chicago), Kendrick (St. Louis), Elder (Cincinnati), 
Grace (St. Paul), Ireland (St. Paul), Riordan (San Francisco). 
Canada: — Archbishops Cleary (Kingston), O'Brien (Halifax), Walsh 
(Toronto), Flood (West Indies). 

Note. Not wishing to detract from the credit due Christopher 
Columbus for his discoveries, the following records are worthy of 
serious consideration: — 

In the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, there are thirteen different 
manuscripts of the 8th and gth centuries, showing that St. Brendin, 
Abbot of Clonfert, Ireland, made the first voyage to the western 
coast about the year 515. Other manuscripts of similar import are 
in the British Museum, the Bodleian library at Oxford, and the 
library at Nuremberg. It is possible that Columbus got the first 
ideas for his voyage from these manuscripts. 



Chapter xyii. 



THE LAND ACTS OF 1870, '81, '85, AND '87; THE TEN- 
ANTS DEFENCE ASSOCIATION, AND THE IRISH 
POLITICAL PLATFORM. 



EXCEPT the Act of 187 1, which existed nine years 
prior to the establishment of the Land League, the 
three subsequent land Acts and indeed, every amelior- 
ative measure recently sanctioned by the British gov- 
ernment, owe their existence to the Land League or 
national agitation and the Plan of Campaign. No 
attempts to solve the agrarian question in past years 
have afforded so much satisfaction as the reluctant legis- 
lative efforts that have been made during the past 
twenty years. Although we persistently maintain that 
the land trouble is not sole cause of Ireland's discontent, 
still it must be avowed that the recent land acts are 
ameliorative and praiseworthy. 

The Act of 1870 gave the tenant a certain amount of 
security against the capricious despotism of the land- 
lord, at whose mercy he had heretofore always been; 
it further provided compensation for improvements. 
Prior to this Act, all improvements made by the tenant 
were the landlord's property. This Act transferred 
their ownership to the tenant who, in case of eviction, 
could file a claim against the landlord for their value. 



112 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

The Act of '8 1 improved on the Act of 1870, by giving 
the tenant absolute security of tenure. It established 
an [alleged) independent tribunal to fix fair rent. It 
legalized the tenant's interest in his holding, and made 
it salable in the open market to the highest bidder. 
It was assuredly an ameliorative step towards allaying 
land grievances. Under this, and the Act of '87, some 
314,000 tenancies have been adjudicated. The Act of 
'85, called the "Ashbourne Act," was first conceived by 
Mr. Bright in 1869. Lord Ashbourne introduced and 
carried a measure placing the sum of ^5,000,000 at the 
disposal of those Irish tenants who desired to purchase 
the fee-simple of their holdings, provided the landlords 
were willing to sell. (Here, we would parenthetically 
remark, that few landlords were disposed to sell except 
on terms that savored extortion). The Act provided 
for the re-payment of principal and interest by the pay- 
ment of forty-nine annual instalments, after which time 
the occupier became the owner of the land. The Act of 
'87 established a Royal Commission for the purpose of 
adjusting agrarian difficulties. It opened the doors of 
the Court to a majority of leaseholders who were, here- 
tofore, excluded from the benefits of the previous Acts. 
It also subjected the rents judicially fixed in 1881-85 
to revision. Finally, it authorized the tenant, when 
summoned for non-payment of rent, to show if it were 
impossible for him to pay the rent demanded. If he 
could do this, the county court Judge was authorized to 
stay eviction, and also to fix a fair rent, and was em- 
powered to spread the arrears over any period he thought 
fit. This would be an excellent piece of legislation 
were it not a fact that the Land Commissioners and 
county court Judges are naturally biased towards the 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 113 

other side, most of them being landlords themselves. It 
practically turned out similar to the fable of the Wolf 
and the Lamb; the wolf could dictate terms to the lamb; 
whilst lambs, at the mercy of wolves, need expect no 
quarter. Lord Londonderry, (the Viceroy) who ap- 
pointed the Commissioners, was himself an inflexible 
landlord, feared and hated by a plurality of his Irish 
tenantry. Moreover, since arrears were left untouched, 
a free gift of the land to the tenant would not improve 
his condition whilst this mill-stone of rack-rent arrears 
hung about his neck. Hence, landlords in every part of 
Ireland have taken advantage of this culpable flaw in 
the Act, and have, and are still evicting tenants by the 
hundred for the non-payment of impossible arrears. 
The conditional Arrears' Act of 1872 did not benefit 
five out of every hundred tenants who were in arrears. 
Mr. Parnell's Bill of '88, purporting to relieve the ten- 
ants thus complicated, was ignobly defeated by the Tory 
government. Indeed, the Irish tenantry may justly re- 
gard the House of Peers, a house of implacable land- 
lords. Recently, (Dec. 1889) another land-purchase 

N. B. A clause in the land Act of '85 provided that a laborer, 
securing the approval of a majority of the Poor Law Guardians of 
the district, could have a homestead built him at the expense of the 
government. To re-imburse this loan, the laborer was required to 
pay a small sum every week (generally six pence) for a certain num- 
ber of years, after whose expiration he became the absolute owner. 
The house stood on a quarter-acre ground lot, taken from the lands 
of some neighboring farmer. These cottages, built of plastered stone 
and covered with slate, and generally consisting of two rooms and a 
kitchen, were commodious and comfortable habitations. At present 
such cottages are being erected within an average radius of three 
miles throughout the entire country. They are certainly a great im- 
provement compared with the old thatched mud cabins. 



114 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

scheme has been devised and sanctioned by Lords 
Salisbury, Ashbourne and Mr. Balfour, but this, as the 
former, we do not hesitate to predict, will prove equally 
abortive. 

THE NEW TENANTS' DEFENCE ASSOCIATION. 
(1889-90). 

Owing to a recent hostile combination of landlords, 
and especially to a threat of a Cork and Tipperary land- 
lord, (Mr. Smith-Barry)* averring his resolve to intro- 
duce colonies of English and Scotch settlers to occupy 
the lands of tenants evicted from the Ponsonby estate, 
(a great part of the Brooke estate has been already thus 
planted) the Irish leaders, headed by Mr. Parnell, have 
instituted a counter-combination, called the "Tenants' 
Defence Association," which threatens to become a 
formidable obstacle to the wanton rapacity of the rack- 
renting gentry. 

This Association possesses decided advantage over 
the National League and the Plan of Campaign in as 
much as its tactics (unlike those of the former, pro- 
scribed by civil law, and the latter by civil and ecclesias- 
tical laws) are in accordance with the extant laws of the 
Church and State. 

The members of this Association can assemble when 
and where they please, and are free to cooperate in their 
self-defensive policy without becoming outlaws in the 

* Up to February, 1890, over a hundred shopkeepers, including 
some 1 100 souls have been evicted from their business stores in the 
town of Tipperary, by the landlord Smith-Barry. The evicted ten- 
ants have selected other sites and are actively employed building new 
to replace old tipperary. Two thousand tenants have been evicted 
from the Ponsonby estate. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 115 

eyes of the government. Although its establishment is 
of recent date (Sept. '89) it has branches flourishing in 
every part of the country.* 

That the programme of this Association harmonizes 
with the voice of the Catholic Church may be assumed 
from the fact that it has been formally approved by the 
four Archbishops, and the entire Episcopate of Ireland, 
including the heretofore recalcitrant nationalist, Dr. 
O'Dwyer, Bishop cf Limerick. 

Irishmen in America will be especially pleased to know 
that their Graces, the four Archbishops of Ireland, 
(Walsh, Loague, Croke and MacEvilly) sent not only 
encouraging letters, but monetary subscriptions to the 
promoters of the new League. We presume the follow- 
ing extract letter from the gifted pen of the Archbishop 
of Tuam will be read with pleasure: 

St. Jarlath's, Tuam, Dec. 8, 1889. 

Dear Father Dooley: — I received in due course your letter 
written on behalf of the "Tenants' Defence Association." 

In presence of a Landlord Syndicate, professedly organized to per- 
petuate the old state of injustice and abject serfdom, under which the 
tenants of this country have been so long suffering, a powerful and 
opulent confederacy, threatening what may be regarded as nothing 
short of a war of extermination to be carried on, not simultaneously, 
but piecemeal, against the bravest and most determined, it would be 
strange, if, in the face of such a powerful confederacy, the tenants of 
Ireland did not, on their part, combine peaceably and legally, as one 
man, in self-defence, while their very existence in the land of their 
birth is at stake. 

For my own part, I could not but reproach myself with a gross 
dereliction of duty if I failed to sanction or give my humble support 
to any association, conducted within the limits of law, having for its 

* Up to February 1, 1890, the funds of the Association amounted 
to ^45,8oo. 



116 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

object to save from utter extirpation and the horrors of enforced emi- 
gration with all its well-known attendant evils, both moral and phy- 
sical, the remnant of our population day by day on the decrease. 
I send annexed ^10 as a practical expression of my approval. 
I remain, 

Very faithfully yours, 

>J* John MacEvilly, 

Archbishop of Tuam. 

IRISH PLATFORM. 

John Mitchell, in his "Letters to small farmers of Ire- 
land," furnished an apposite precedent for the present 
Irish policy. Mitchell mentioned a certain farmer 
named Boland, who, although cultivating twenty acres 
of land, was, with his family, found dead in their beds, 
of starvation. "Now," said he, "what became of poor 
Boland's twenty acres of crop? A part of it went to 
Gibraltar to victual the garrison, part went to Spain to 
pay for the landlord's wine, part to London to pay the 
interest of his honor's mortgage to the Jews. The Eng- 
lish ate some of it, the Chinese had their share, but none 
was left for poor Boland. 

The plain remedy for all this is to reverse the order 
of payment; to take and keep out of the crops you raise, 
your own subsistence, and that of your families and 
laborers, first. . . "If it needs all your crop to keep 
you alive, you will be justified in refusing payment of 
any rent, tribute, rate or taxes whatever. To do this 
effectually, you must combine with your neighbors; you 
must form voluntary defence associations, in order to be 
able to repel your oppressors." 

Toward the conclusion of the same letter Mitchell 
said, "But I am told it is in vain to speak thus to you; 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 117 

that the Peace policy of O'Connell is dearer to you than 
life and honor; that some of your clergy exhort you 
rather to die than violate what the English call ' Law.' 
Then die — die in your patience and perseverance; but 
be well assured of this — that the Priest or person who 
bids you perish amidst your own golden harvests, 
preaches the gospel of tyranny, insults manhood and 
common sense, and bears false witness against religion, 
and blasphemes the Providence of God." 

Perhaps it would be impossible to furnish more 
authentic information on the present political movement 
than to quote Mr. Parnell's explanation of the Home 
Rule movement, recently addressed to a meeting in 
Nottingham (Dec. 17, '(89). "The object of the Home 
Rule movement," he said, "was to regenerate Ireland, 
especially with regard to her industrial condition." Mr. 
Parnell contended that manufactures should be devel- 
oped to such an extent as to take the strain off the land, 
and enable the people to look to other avocations besides 
farming for gaining a livelihood; he opposed the idea 
that Ireland should have England promote her indus- 
tries. "Irishmen themselves must promote Irish indus- 
tries by building harbors,, clearing out channels, and 
reclaiming waste lands, not at the expense of the Eng- 
lish, but of the Irish exchequer, or best of all, through 
the efforts of local and individual enterprise, and with 
private capital." 

The political platform endorsed by Mr. Parnell, Glad- 
stone and the Irish Representatives does not require 
complete separation from England. It simply embodies 
the demand for a Home Parliament — a relation such as 
Canada bears to England, or each State to the United 
States. The Imperial Court of England was to have 



118 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

the same power as the Supreme Court of the United 
States in the definition of a national question.. 

Mr. Michael Davitt in a speech (Jan. 26, '81) said, 
"Our League does not desire to intimidate anyone who 
disagrees with us; while we condemn coercion, we must 
not be guilty of coercion." The theories of the Land 
League by no means harmonize with the teachings of 
those who deny private property or ownership. While 
aiming at the establishment of a peasant proprietorship, 
they allow rent for the landlord, profit for the farmer, 
wages for the laborer; and out of this rent, profit and 
wages, professionals shall get fees, shopkeepers custom, 
artisans employment; and that from the united profits 
of all these incomes, manufactures and commerce should 
flourish. 

They contend that it was neither just nor expedient 
that the Parliament of Westminster composed of but 
one hundred and three Irish members against more than 
five hundred Scotch, Welsh and English members, 
should pass laws affecting Ireland against the will of the 
majority of the Irish Representatives, whilst the Execu- 
tive for England was not the Irish Executive, but the 
avowed enemy of the people. 

The following extract from a speech of Mr. John Red- 
mond, M. P., delivered before the Chicago convention, 
held in 1886, further elucidates Ireland's political policy: 

"The principle embodied in the Irish movement of 
to-day is just the same principle which was the soul of 
every Irish movement for the past seven centuries; the 
principle of rebellion against the rule of strangers; the 
principle which Owen Rowe O'Neill vindicated, which 
animated Tone and Fitzgerald, and for which Emmet 
sacrificed a stainless life. Let no man desecrate that 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 119 

principle by giving it the ignoble name of hatred to 
England. Race-hatred is at best, but an unreasoning 
passion. I, for one, believe in the brotherhood of na- 
tions; and bitter as the memory is of past wrongs, and 
present injustice inflicted on our people by our alien 
rulers, I assert the principle underlying our movement 
is not the principle of revenge for the past, but of justice 
for the future. We believe it is possible to bring about 
a settlement honorable to England and Ireland alike, 
whereby the wrongs and miseries of the past may be 
sorgotten, the chapter of English wrongs and Irish re- 
fistance may be closed, and there may be future free- 
dom and amity between the two nations " 

That the day may soon arrive when such an amicable 
settlement shall be consummated, should be the prayer 
of every true Irishman throughout the earth. 



APPENDIX. 



ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, (1SS1). 

The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland is governed by four Arch- 
bishops, twenty-three Bishops and two mitred Abbots. In Ireland, 
there are 3,047 Priests (1,010 P. Ps., 1,719 C. Cs., and 318 Regu- 
lars); 1,089 Churches, 98 Monasteries, and 2S8 Convents. 

RELIGIONS. 

Catholics 4,127,347 

Episcopalians 635,670 

Presbyterians 385,583 

Methodists 47,669 

Baptists 4,957 

All other denominations about 40,000 

Total population in 1881 5,241,226 

.In 1SS8 4,777,534 

In 1890, about 4,500,000 

PARLIAMENT. 

The present British Parliament (elected July, 18S6), is composed of 
two Houses, the House of Lords and the House of Commons, (Lon- 
don). The House of Lords consists of 2 Princes of the blood, 
2 Archbishops, 24 Bishops, 2S2 Barons, 16 Scotch Peers, elected for 
each Parliament and 28 Irish Peers elected for life. 

The House of Commons is composed of 670 members, of whom 
465 represent England; 30, Wales; 72, Scotland; 103, Ireland. Of 
the Irish members, 94 are Home Rulers. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 



121 



NAMES OF IRISH NATIONALIST MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WITH 
THEIR CONSTITUENCIES. (l8go). 



Antrim, 
J. H. MacKelvey. 

Armagh, 
J. Williamson, 
R. Gardner, 
A. Blaine. 

Belfast, 
J. M'Erlean, 
T. Sexton. 

Car low, 
The O'Gorman Mahon. 

Cavan, 
J. G. Biggar, 
T. O'Hanlon. 

Clare, 
J. R. Cox, 
J. Jordan. 

Cork City, 
C. S. Parnell, 
M. Healy. 

Cork County, 
J. C. Flynn, 
William O'Brien, 
Dr. C. Tanner, 
W. J. Lane, 
J. Gilhooly, 
Dr. J. E. Kenny, 
J. M. M' Morrow. 

Donegal, 
J. E. O'Doherty, 
P. O'Hea, 
A. O'Connor, 
J. G. S. MacNeill. 

Down, 

M'Nabb, 

J. B. McHugh, 



II. McGrath, 
M. M'Cartan. 

Dublin City, 
T. D. Sullivan, 
T. Harrington, 
Thos. A. Dickson, 
W. Murphy, 
Hugh Johnson, 
E! P. S. Counsel. 

Dublin County, 
J. J. Clancy, 
Sir T. Esmonde. 

Fermanagh, 
W. H. Redmond, 
H. Campbell. 

Galway, 
J. Pinkerton, 
T. J. Foley, 
Col. Nolan, 
David Sheehy, 
M. Harris. 

A'erry, 
John Stack, 
E. Harrington, 

D. Kilbride, 

J. D. Sheehan. 

Kildare, 
J. L. Carew, 
Jas. Leahy. 

Kilkenny, 
Thomas Quinn, 

E. M. Marum, 
P. A. Chance. 

lying's County, 
Dr. J. Fox, 
B. C. Molloy. 



122 HISTORY 

Leitrim, 

M. Conway, 
L. P. Hayden. 

Limerick City, 
F. A. O'Keffe. 

Limerick County, 
W. Abraham, 
J. Finucane. 

Londonderry, 
J.' M'Carthy, 
T. M. Healy. 

Longford, 
Dr. Fitzgerald. 

Louth, 
J. Nolan, 
T. P. Gill. 

Mayo, 

D. Crilly, 
J. Deasy, 

J. F. X. O'Brien, 
John Dillon. 

Meath, 
Pierce Mahony, 

E. Sheil. 

Monaghan, 
Patrick O'Brien, 
Sir J. M'Kenna, 
J. H. M'Carthy. 

Queen s County. 
W. M'Donald, 



OF IRELAND. 

R. Lalor. 

Rosconpnon. 

J. O' Kelly, 
Dr. A. Comyns. 

Sligo, 
P. M'Donald, 
E. Leamy, B. L. 

Tippcrary, 
P. J. O'Brien, 
Thos. Mayne, 
J. O'Connor, 
T. J. Condon. 

Tyrone, 
J. O. Wiley, 
M. J. Kenny, 
W. J. Reynolds. 

Water ford, 
Richard Power, 
T. J. Power. 

West meath, 
James Tuite, 
D. Sullivan. 

Wexford, 
J. E. Redmond, 
S. Barry. 

Wicklow, 
G. M. Byrne, 
W. J. Corbett. 



HISTORY OF IRELAND. 



123 



PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OF EMIGRANTS WHO LEFT 
IRELAND DURING YEARS 1887-1888. 



Males. 


1888 


Males. 


1888 


Bakers, Confectioners.. 
Blacksmiths 


167 
118 
182 
432 
627 

73 

1,687 

3L952 


Masons and Paviors .... 
Mechanics. . 


120 

65 

13S 
153 


Boot and Shoe Makers.. 
Carpenters and Joiners.. 
Clerks & Accountants . . 


Painters, Glaziers, 

Plumbers, etc 

Servants 


Coopers 


Shopkeepers and Shop 
Assistants 


Farmers 


462 
192 


Labourers 


Tailors 


Females. 


1888 


Females. 


1888 


Dressmakers and Milli- 
ners 


418 
35 


Housekeepers 

Seamsters, etc 


2,3^4 
2 


Millworkers 


Servants 


26,500 



NUMBER OF EMIGRANTS, NATIVES OF IRELAND. 



Year. 



1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 
1881 
1882 
1883 



Number. 



33,503 
41,124 
47,065 
95,517 
78,417 
89,136 
108,724 



1884. 



1887. 



Year. 



Total, 1851- 



Number. 



75,863 
62,034 

63,135 
82,923 

78,684 

3,276,103 



Of the 78,684 natives of Ireland who emigrated in 1888, 72,988, or 
92.8 per cent, went to the colonies or to foreign countries, and 5,696 
or 7.2 per cent, to Great Britain. The United States of America 
absorbed 66,906, or 85.0 per cent, of the number of native emigrants 
in 1888, compared with an average of 56,744, or 79.9 percent, for 
the four preceding years. The number of emigrants to New Zea- 
land, which fell from 809 in 1884 to 429 in 1885 and to 208 in 1886, 



124 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

rose to 322 in 1887, but decreased to 87 in 1888. Emigration to 
Canada likewise shows a decrease in 1888 compared with 1887, the 
numbers being 2,686 as against 3,769. The emigrants to Australia 
numbered 3,110 in 1888, as against 3,896 in 1887. Of the 66,906 
emigrants to the United States in 1888, Munster contributed 22,535; 
Ulster, 18,706; Connaught, 14,265; Leinster, 11,200. 

Perhaps the most striking proof of national decadency is the fact 
that although the population of Ireland exceeded that of Scotland Ly 
770,000 in '88, the record of births and marriages for Ireland was but 
io 9» 557 an d 20,060 respectively, against 123,233 births and 25,281 
marriages for Scotland; whilst the deaths in Ireland during the same 
year exceeded those of Scotland by 14,876. 



fl SYNOPSIS 



IBM SCE 



Dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood 
While fond recollection presents them to view, 

The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wildwood 
And every loved spot which my infancy knew. 

S. Woodworth. 



PRELUDE. 



In view of the fact that those who received their christian or patro- 
nymic names in Ireland aggregate one-fifth the entire population of 
the United States, we presume many of our American readers will be 
pleased to glance over the subsequent pages, purporting to exhibit the 
latest views of the country and people. Although apparently pro- 
miscuous selections, the author begs to state that a certain limit of 
order has been observed in their compilation. 

We may judge of a nation as of an individual by scanning the feat- 
ures, the voice, the characteristics. Such a method has been adopted 
in the following treatise: 

1. Landscape and scenery, representing the physical features of 
the nation. 

2. Minstrelsy, repeating the voice of the nation. 

3. Traits and characteristics, forestalling the culture of the nation. 
If we collocate these traits with the political prospects discussed in 

the foregoing chapters, we shall have a systematic guide to the 
character of Ireland and the Irish people. 

Having sifted all its misgivings, the reader will find the nation 
furnishes a glorious record. Those lukewarm Irishmen who are loath 
to identify themselves with "Paddy's land" have no cause to feel 
ashamed; on the contrary, they have unequivocal reasons to feel proud 
of their motherland. 

And if a cluster of shamrocks or a handful of earfh from the "Old 



128 HISTORY OF IRELAND. 

Sod " often affect the tenderest feelings of the Celtic heart, we trust 
this' little volume, " Ireland in '89," will serve as a "reminder" not 
only to Irishmen who never expect to see again the land of their birth, 
but also to Americans who, without crossing the " waters" can learn 
so much domestic Irish history 



AN IRISH LANDSCAPE.* 



AS a person peering through a kaleidescope can de- 
scribe only those objects that are exposed to his 
inspection, at one time, for equivalent reasons, it would 
be impossible for a writer to convey, in a brief essay, an 
adequate notion of the scenery of a country comprising 
32,000 square miles of land and water. 

A radius of five miles is frequently more than the 
human eye can encompass within the limits of any 
horizon in Ireland; moreover, besides the novelty of the 
seasons, the ever changing variety of mountain, river 
and woodland, reveals charms chiefly enhanced by their 
immediate surroundings. 

Waiving then, the infeasible task of presenting a gen- 
eral view, we trust the following particular description 
will prove interesting. We shall especially notice those 
objects that engross the attention of the three leading 
senses; the eye, the ear, and the nasal organs. 

Sitting on one of the lovely hills that adorn the 

southern portion of the county of , on a sunny 

April day, the eye beholds a charming panorama. 
Around us, far and near, we see numerous herds of 

* The above description notes only the leading objects visible in an 
area of five square miles. There are ten thousand such landscapes 
more or less beautiful in other parts of the Island. The physical 
beauties of the Lakes of Killarney, the Vale of Avoca, Glengariff, 
Lismore, etc., are far more charming- and picturesque. 
6* 



130 IKISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

cattle greedily cropping the fresh green herbage, or 
ruminating as they indolently lie on the heather; flocks 
of sheep and lambs gamboling with all the antics inno- 
cence and satiety can suggest, and birds of every species 
and hue feeding their young or procuring material for 
their prospective nests. , 

On the western horizon, mantled in gossamery clouds, 
we see the rugged peaks of the McGillycuddy reeks 
overlooking the Devil's Punch Bowl and the Gap of 
Dunloe; and towards the east, the cone-shaped " Keeper 
Hill" and the "Galty" mountains of Tipperary. At a 
less remote distance, we discover the spires and lofty 
steeples of Limerick's far-famed churches glistening in 
the sunshine, and more conspicuous still, the great tall 
chimney of the once famous Russell Factory. 

Winding its sinuous course through purple, emerald 
and crimson forests and verdant dales, washing on either 
side the extremities of Tipperary, Clare, Limerick and 
Kerry counties, and kissing the while the mossy banks 
of Bunratty, Tarbert and Kilrush, we see the lordly 
Shannon bearing on its placid bosom numerous craft, 
from the frail canoe to the more pretending sloop, 
schooner and steam yacht. The colossal buttresses of 
Bunratty 's once castellated fortress loom up in the west- 
ern horizon, whilst almost beneath the shadow of the 

great M mountains, the ivy-covered mural ruins of 

C 's and P 's castles stand out in bold relief 

before the naked eye. 

As we review these charming scenes of passive nature, 

the shrill whistle of the E train rumbling, rattling 

and belching an interminable streak of steam, forewarns 
its near approach. It is delightful to watch the butter- 
fly and the honey bee flitting from flower to flower, 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 13 L 

occasionally burying their tiny heads beneath the velvet 
petals in their efforts to sip nectar from their dewy 
bosoms. 

Whilst the eye beholds the hills and dales, covered 
with snow-white carpets of daisies, interspersed with oily 
buttercups, primroses and daffodils, the nasal organs are 
not less interested; for the surrounding. white and black 
thorn hedges are variegated with budding lilacs and 
furze, whose refreshing aroma commingles with the re- 
dolence of holly, hazel and woodbine. All budding and 
blossoming nature announce the advent of the sweetest 
summer that mortals can enjoy upon this earth. But 
the feast which rural landscape furnishes to the eye and 
the nose is not to be compared to the ineffable delights 
that entrance the ear. 

The carols of feathered songsters fill all vacant space 
with the music of their warbling; whilst the Cuckoo, 
Thrush and Blackbird are heard only in season, the song 
of the I.ark* and the sweet notes of the Robin are never 
hushel. 

From his isolated nest in the sylvan glade or silent 
meadow, the Lark soars almost perpendicularly, singing 
the while, until he is almost lost to sight in the clouds. 
Here, with out-spread wings, apparently motionless, he 
carols forth the sweetest and most enchanting lays. 
Now and then he will descend, singing until he reaches 
the ground where its nest is usually located. It is said 
this creature never loses sight of its nest during its lofty 
flight. This charming little song-bird is scarcely ever 
silent except during midnight hours, or whilst feeding 
its young. From the earliest dawn, before the sun ap- 

* Sometimes called Sky-lark. 



132 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

pears on the horizon, the creatures shrill notes are heard 
through hill and vale. The earliest notion of rising in 
the morning is popularly associated with the first flight 
of the Lark. During the spring, summer and autumn 
months, it is impossible to travel anywhere through the 
woods, mountains or valleys without being within the 
range of this creature's voice; and not only one, but a 
chorus of such sweet voices fill the surrounding air with 
their resonant melody. 

But of all the feathered trjbe that nestle in the forest 
or paint in the landscape, there is none entitled to more 
human sympathy than the Robin, or Red-breast as he 
is commonly called by the peasantry. This little crea- 
ture (about the size of an English sparrow) is so familiar 
with man and domestic animals, that he will not betake 
to flight, but remain sitting on some pendant bough, 
warbling his soft notes within a few feet of passers-by. 
It is amusing to watch the creature flying from tree to 
tree, as he attempts to keep pace with the traveller and 
cheer him with the music of his song. 

In winter, the Robin becomes bolder; when snow has 
overspread the earth, he frequently alights on the 
threshold or window-sill waiting to receive a few crumbs. 
When other birds are silent through the winter and 
greater part of spring, the Robin's familiar notes are 
seldom missed from the leafless hawthorns or naked 
boughs. Wanton school boys who do not scruple to 
rob birds' nests, discriminate in favor of the Robin's, 
deeming it a sacrilege to meddle with its nest or eggs. 
And this tiny warbler, as though aware of the popular 
superstition, often builds his capacious domicile on trees 
and bushes growing but a few feet from the school-room 
or homestead. In the farm-yard and kitchen-garden 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 133 

the Robin superintends all operations; the carpenter 
and smithy regard him as a welcome visitor; the laborer, 
as a friend; the farmer, as a companion who first salutes 
him in the morning and again greets him as he returns 
in the evening. His song always inspires joy to the 
joyful and sympathy with the sorrowful. Although the 
most domestic of birds, it will not live encaged or con- 
fined. The Robin frequents the poorest cabin as well as 
the proudest villas. His distended crimson breast be- 
speaks good cheer, whilst his swelling throat never fails 
to brighten our hopes and soothe our cares. 

KILKEE. 

" Ille terrarum mihi praeter omnes 

Angulus ridet." (Horace Carm. II, 6). 

Kilkee, (church of St. Kee) is a neat little village in 
county Clare, eight miles from Kilrush, and about forty 
from Limerick, from whose port a steamer starts every 
day for Kilrush. The bay of Kilkee is one of the most 
delightful bathing resorts in Ireland — perhaps, in 
Europe. It is incomparably superior to Newport, the 
great American bathing resort. Sheltered by a ledge of 
rocks that circumvent at least one-third of the entire 
bay, the attractions of this delightful place are irresist- 
ible; whilst the coast is one of the finest in creation. 
Cliffs do not melt into the ocean, as in other coasts, but 
they tower perpendicularly from the deep, with a majes- 
tic supremacy that proclaim the presidency of the 
Almighty Architect that placed them there an insupera- 
ble barrier between the restless, ever rolling billows of 
the Atlantic and the mainland Islands spring from the 
depths of the sea and are scattered far out from the 



134 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

shore, covered with emerald verdure feeding flocks of 
sheep and goats. It is a puzzle to ascertain how they 
are placed upon, or taken from these green oases in 
which they are fattened for the market, to supply the 
sweetest mutton in the world. Rocks, apparently piled 
up by Titan arms boldly shoot their forms upwards from 
the abyss, and stand like lone pillars, regardless of the 
surge that ever lashes into foam against them. Ruins 
of ancient castles and forts, the residences of Chieftains 
of other days present themselves on the coast in the 
most weird situations, frequently erected over the yawn- 
ing gulfs, looking down upon the tumultuous waters 
that roll beneath. What can be more wildly romantic 
than the situation of Dunleky castle, embraced within 
the arms of a precipice ? Yet, all this wild and romantic 
magnificence can be viewed, not only without danger, but 
with the greatest possible safety and pleasure from any 
Irish jaunting car or other vehicle, or on foot or horse- 
back. The road south of Kilkee to Carrigaholt, and 
thence to Loop-Head (22 miles) is as smooth and level 
as a park avenue or bowling green. To the north of 
Kilkee, you see the horse-shoe, cut out of the giant rock, 
and forming an amphitheatre, the green waters of the 
Atlantic being the arena. The coast runs in bold per- 
pendicular massiveness, as an immense iron wall, the 
entire distance to Galway. In the vicinage of Kilkee 
there are numerous walks about the cliffs, and many 
seats, cut from the rocks, where visitors can sit for 
hours, viewing the boundless sea, reading, conversing 
or feasting. 

In the month of December, 1865, a melancholy catas- 
trophe occurred at the puffing-hole rocks. Two young 
lives (Col. Pepper and his affianced bride, Miss Smith- 



IRISH SCENERY, MINsTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 135 

wick) fell victims to the yawning vortex. They ven- 
tured out upon the overhanging rocks, during a moment- 
ary calm, when a mighty wave belched forth, and swept 
them off the rocks. Some years ago a ship called the 
Intrinsic, went down in broad noon-day, it being hemmed 
in, during a storm, between the rocks, within a few hun- 
dred yards from the shore. 

The following neat but painful story was related by 
an eye witness to the event narrated: 

Two gentlemen, walking beside the huge cliffs that 
overhang the Atlantic, some three miles south of Kilkee, 
were surprised to see a sheep and her little lamb crop- 
ping the verdure that grew upon a rock several hundred 
feet beneath the surface of the mainland. Being curi- 
ous to learn how the two could return, they waited only 
a short time when the old sheep decided to climb back 
again. Having advanced about twenty yards, she en- 
countered a large stone, whose ledge jutted forward 
some two or three feet. Apparently calculating from 
her precarious position, with surprising agility and vigor, 
she bounced upwards and succeeded in placing her fore- 
most feet on the rock. With a painful struggle she en- 
deavored to ascend, but, after a second or two, her 
strength failed and the creature fell backwards, and 
then down, and downwards from rock to rock, until at 
length her body struck the stony beach below, where it 
was rendered a quivering mass of mangled flesh. Dur- 
ing all this time, the little lamb was a surprised specta- 
tor. With distended eyes and ears it appeared to wonder 
at the antics of its mother. At last, seeing its mother's 
form hurled over the rocky chasm, the little creature 
gave a wild bleat, and immediately plunged over the 
abyss, falling upon the mangled body of its dam. Soon 



136 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

a surging wave clashed over them, washing their remains 
into the briny deep. The gentlemen who saw the lamb 
plunge, declared it was a veritable case of animal 
suicide. 

Kilkee is within easy distance of the famous Cliffs of 
Moher (700 feet high), and Lisdoonvarna Spa, the cura- 
tive properties of whose mineral waters have acquired a 
world-famed repute. Besides the excellence of the 
springs, (sulphur, iron and magnesia) the pure mountain 
air of the district renders it a most desirable rendezvous 
for those afflicted with rheumatism, dyspepsia, liver and 
kidney complaints and other chronic diseases. Lisdoon- 
varna is especially noted for the number of its clerical 
visitors. Priests from all parts of the United Kingdom 
may be seen here during the months of July and 
August.* 

The picnics and wagonette excursions that are gotten 
up at these two health resorts, afford as much innocent 
amusement as can be enjoyed at such feasts. On the 
wagonettes (each capable of holding about twenty-five 
persons) every occupant strives to contribute to the 
general mirth. If bulls and ////as-, merry songs and bois- 
terous laughter indicate pleasure and delight, no other 
improvised entertainments can excel these entertain- 
ments. 

As the quaint and witty driver whips his four-in-hand, 
every visible object in the landscape becomes an object 
of mirthful criticism. The little boys and girls that 

* The resident Priests of these localities, Rev. E. Power, Quinlisan 
T. Brosnan, P. Sweeny and P. Brennan, (the latter a skillful church 
architect) have numerous respectable relatives in New England and 
other .States. Their hospitality and priestly benevolence have en- 
deared them to several American tourists. 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 137 

hang on the rear steps or run after the vehicles for 
pennies, are often seen cuffing one another or tumbling 
headforemost; the climbing of the hill of the cork-screw 
road or fields leading to the Cliffs of Moher, and the 
descent, whilst a raging wind is resisting or propelling; 
the frequent slips and falls of good-humored ladies and 
gentlemen; the fantastic vagaries of the wind, blowing 
now a female's head-dress, muff or shawl, and again, a 
gent's hat or ulster, and their ludicrous efforts to recover 
them, all contribute to render such tours the acme of 
social enjoyment. But the Loop-Head light-house ex- 
cites more uncontrollable laughter than any other single 
object. When tourists, having ascended the spiral 
stairs, behold the reflection of their faces on the convex 
and concave lenses of the great lamp that casts its illu- 
minated rays on the waters beneath, they cannot, by any 
possible effort, restrain immoderate laughter. The 
handsomest face is so elongated or contorted as to cause 
its owner to despise himself for the time. Whilst the 
eyes and nose appear frightful, the teeth are hideous, if 
not appalling objects. A young lady opening her mouth 
to expose her pretty teeth, appeared the most -ludicrous 
if not the most disgusting object I ever beheld. 

KILKEE. 

" To the West, to the West, for a dip in the sea, 
Where the mighty Atlantic rolls into Kilkee; 
With a breeze from the waves rolling up to your doors 
As if Boreas and Neptune were stopping at Moore's. 
If you go there in May, perhaps t'will be dull, 
But from June to October the lodges are full; 
And Erin's fair daughters find health in the wave, 
Where Erin's poor emigrants once found a grave.* 

* This is an allusion to the shipwreck. 



138 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

To the West, to the West, for a dip in the sea, 
Where the mighty Atlantic rolls into Kilkee, 
The belles of Tipperary, the beauties of Clare 
The Limerick lassies in summer are there. 

"On the strand of Kilkee pony phaetons we meet, 

And gay landaulets dashing by on the street; 

We gaze with delight on the waists, taper and small, 

Then whistle a 'deuxtemps' and wish for a ball; 

Their picnics are plenty, though by rain sometimes marr'd, 

For a drive to Loop-Head or a walk to Baltard, 

To the hill called ' Look Out ' or the rocks just below, 

To see the waves breaking, on Sundays we go. 

To the West, to the West, etc. 

"In Kilkee there is love making, larking and fun; 

The ladies to please, is the work to be done; 

We'll try it; we'll do it, and never despair 

While Moore has a room and good music is there. 

Each morning fair ladies in blue baize are seen, 

At evening promenade in bright bombazine, 

And at night appear in their loveliest still, 

As they fly through a galop or walk a quadrille; 

With a breeze from the waves rolling up from the shore, 

Which they could ne'er find at Kingston, Kinsale or Tramore. 

To the West, to the West, etc." 



LAKES OF KILLARNEY. 

The Lakes are three in number, the Upper, the Lower 
and Middle. Although the Lower and Middle Lakes 
exhibit a very happy combination of the sublime and 
beautiful, the grand and the magnificent are more pecu- 
liarly the characteristics of their elder sister. She is 
embosomed in an almost voiceless solitude, her mount- 
ains are more terrific, her islands more gloomy, her 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 139 

dashing cataracts more astounding. The Lower Lake, 
however, will be apt to continue the more general favor- 
ite, from its superior expanse of waters, the multitude 
and beauty of its sparkling islands, rich promontories 
and wooded mountains, as well as from the level country 
that forms its boundary, on one side presenting an 
undulating line of mountains in soft perspective. But 
the principal charm of Killarney consists in its magical 
variety. Like the beauty of Nourmahal, it is not by a 
monotonous perfection that it pleases, but by an ever 
animated, ever changing, fascination which every mist 
that sleeps upon its waters, every ray that glances on its 
mountain tops, every breath that ruffles its bosom, every 
season that clothes or strips, or diversifies its mountain 
woods, exhibit under a new aspect of loveliness, imbued 
afresh with a thousand prismatic colors. Every step 
you take, you imagine that, like the illusive landscape 
that mocked whilst it enchanted the vision'of the Red- 
Cross Knight, all the objects around you are undergoing 
a visible metamorphose. Not a rock, not a wave, not a 
tree, from the druidical oak to the diamond hung arbu- 
tus, that does not alter its aspect with the position you 
take, and appear as if spangled anew with a fresh coat 
of sparkling tints and hues; whilst the silvery mists, 
that rise like guardian spirits from the depths of the 
lakes, the fairy voices that respond at every call, the 
ever-moving lights and shadows, which are continually 
revealing or shrouding some prominent feature of the 
landscape, never suffer the intensity of your interest to 
subside. Nor is there anything incongruous in the dis- 
position of the surrounding objects. The highlands and 
the valleys, the animated, and the solitary regions, the 
still grottos and the surrounding cataracts, the wildness 



140 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

and the bloom, the lofty and the gentle features of the 
scene, blend harmoniously together. Its solemnity is 
always relieved by its brilliancy, and its brilliancy ever 
chastened by the continual presence of its awful mount- 
ains. Add to this that every rock has its legend, every 
island its tale of marvel. 

No place else can charm the eye 

With such bright and varied tints, 
Every rock that you pass by 

Verdure broiders or besprints; 
Virgin there the green grass grows, 

Every morn Spring's natal day, 
Bright-hued berries daff the snows, 

Smiling Winter's frown away. 
Angels often pausing there, 

Doubt if Eden were more fair; 
Beauty's home, Killarney, 

Ever fair Killarney. 

C Rourke, 

THE ROCK OF CASHEL. 

(r. c. dungarvan.) 

"There breathes a spirit thro' these lonely halls, 

There speaks a voice from each desert aisle, 
That insensibly the musing mind recalls 

To days of yore, when from this mighty pile 
Religion's flame shone bright o'er Erin's isle; 

When mitred Cormac filled the royal chair 
And swayed the sceptre and the cross the while; 

Prince, sage and soldier found a dwelling there. 

Who dwells there now? the hideous screaming owl, 

Her loathsome way, through each dark passage wings; 

The lap- wing, swallow and- raven fowl 
Are nestling in the very spot where kings 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 141 

Sat throned on high, midst court and gatherings; 

And all is still save when some wild bird's scream 
Through these lone courts with dismal echo rings 

Make sounds that haunt us in a troubled dream. 

Royal and saintly Cashel! I could weep 

O'er thy ruined grandeur and departed powers, 
As thy past glories, fore my mind's eye sweep 

And show how fleetly glide life's checkered hours; 
Now, from the summit of thy mouldering towers 

I gaze with sadness on the ruins beneath; 
There all proclaim how quickly time deflours 

And levels nations with the sword of death." 

In the reign of King Coorc, there lived two young 
swine-herds who were in the habit of feeding their swine 
for three months of the year on the pastures round the 
city where there was then a forest. At Easter, these 
two swine-herds, while guarding the herds of the chiefs 
of Muskerry and Lougharden, heard the voice of an 
Angel, and saw a figure of indescribable beauty perched 
upon one of the hills, that upon which the Rock of 
Cashel now stands, then called Sheedrum, or the hill of 
the Fairy, singing canticles to God and prophesying the 
birth of St. Patrick. Coorc, not believing the omen, 
came to the rock and selected it as the noble palace of 
tribute, and called it Cashel. This appears to be the 
most plausible history of the place. 

Upon this rock, for more than a hundred years, the 
Princes of the provinces of Ireland, with many a noble 
steed, and swords glittering as the stars, and many a 
helmet bright as the dawn, came to deposit them as a 
tribute of the chiefs and people of this island, to the 
monarchs of Cashel. But the halls of that noble pile 
are silent long ago; that which was once all beauty and 



142 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

glory, now moulders in decay. The noblest of all epic 
poems, the psalter of Cashel, was written here by a dis- 
ciple of St. Patrick. Upon this rock, the first provincial 
king of Ireland was made a convert to the christian 
faith. Upon the occasion of his baptism, the crozier of 
St. Patrick falling from his hand, pierced and spiked the 
king's foot to the spot on which he stood, whilst he 
never complained, deeming it a part of the ceremony. 
St. Patrick miraculously healed the wound by touching 
it with his hand. 

The rock is an elevated, detached mass of stratified 
lime-stone conspicuous for miles around, being 300 feet 
high. Cormac's chapel is one of the most interesting 
architectural ruins in the kingdom. It is built of hewn 
stone; the walls, roof and the carvings on the arches 
are most elegant and elaborate. The entrance to the 
door-way is richly moulded and ornamented with zig- 
zag and bead work of astonishing beauty. The erection 
of this chapel is ascribed to Cormac MacCullinan, at 
once King and Archbishop of Cashel, (who composed 
the celebrated Psalter 900 A. D). The Cathedral is of 
later date, and divine service was held in it up to the 
year 1752. It was a spacious cruciform structure. On 
the ascent to the Cathedral is a stone, on which, accord- 
ing to tradition, the Kings of Munster were annually 
inaugurated. A synod was held at Cashel by St. Pat- 
rick in the reign of Angus, who, after his conversion to 
the christian faith, built a church here. In 990, the 
place was fortified by Brian Boru. In 1372, a Parlia- 
ment was held at Cashel, and in 1495, during the baro- 
nial feuds Gerald, Earl of Kildare, influenced by hostile 
feelings towards David Creaghe the then Archbishop, 
set fire to the Cathedral. In the presence of the King, 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 143 

he afterwards defended this outrage on the ground that 
he would not have set fire to it, had he not thought the 
Archbishop was in it at the time. In 1647, Lord Inch- 
iquin stormed the rock and put to death all the clergy 
he could find. Tradition reports that the rock was de- 
posited in its present site by Satan, who had bitten it 
out of the mountain range, called Sleabh-bloom in the 
northern part of the County Tipperary at a spot where 
a large gap is still to be seen and universally known as 
the Devil's bit. St. Patrick, the titular saint of Cashel, 
observing the fiend flying over him with his heavy 
mouthful compelled him to drop it where the Rock of 
Cashel now stands, and forthwith consecrated it to pious 
usage. Upon the rock has been erected a round tower 
which is still entire. 

QUEENSTOWN. 

The Cove, or as it is now called Queenstown, (in 
honor of a recent visit of Queen Victoria), was formerly 
called Clon-mel (sweet spot) which appears the more 
appropriate name, distant from Cork about twelve miles, 
is built on a steep hill, overlooking the Atlantic, having 
at present (1889) a population of 9,755 inhabitants. Its 
natural advantages indisputably render it the noblest 
asylum for shipping in Europe. A series of parallel 
terraces reach from the water's edge to the top of the 
surrounding hill, from which the naked eye can behold 
one of the finest marine views in the world. Its happy 
situation near the sea, and the salubrity and equability 
of its climate render it one of the most desirable health 
resorts in the kingdom. 

Nothing can be more enchanting than to proceed by 



144 IRISH SCENERY. MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

land or water from Cork to Queenstown. It has been 
an undecided question whether Killarney, with its lakes, 
mountains, woods, and water-falls, is calculated to fill 
the mind with nobler thoughts and lovelier images of 
land and water scenery. When the tide is in, the Lee 
appears a most beautiful river, rivalling the Blackwater 
in the romantic points of its course from its source in 
the sublime and sacred lake of Gougaune Barra, until it 
mingles its waters with the sea at Queenstown. Let us 
take the journey by water from Cork to Queenstown. 
On the left, as you proceed down the river, are the 
wooded heights of Glanmire, crimsoned with numerous 
fairy-like villas and mansions; on the right, a landscape 
equally beautiful, as we pass by Black Rock castle and 
Monkstown. The great fascination of the trip by water 
to Queenstown, arises from the sinuous windings of the 
river Lee by which frequent changes of scenery are pre- 
sented to view; shady groves,, ancient castles, pictur- 
esque villages and the tall masts of ships present them- 
selves before us. We approach the beautiful town of 
Passage where merchant vessels ride at anchor; but 
when we turn Battery Point and behold the noble har- 
bor of Queenstown spreading before us with its fortified 
islets, undulated hills and terraced walks, we feel it is 
magnificent and charming scenery. The largest fleet of 
the British navy could find shelter within its bay. Tow- 
ering over all the buildings of the city stands the great 
Cathedral of St. Colman. When complete, the cross on 
the spire of this noble edifice will be the last object seen 
by the departing emigrant; whilst its golden armlets 
will be the first beacon to gladden the anxious eye of 
the returning exile. 

Perhaps there is not another spot on the surface of 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 145 

the globe that reveals a sadder picture than the harbor 
of Queenstown. Here, the links that bind parents, 
brethren, dearest friends and affianced lovers are drawn 
to their utmost tension. 

When we consider that even the savage loves his 
native home, what must be the emotions of a tender- 
hearted and spirited peasantry when here they must 
part, perhaps forever, from those they love? On the 
tranquil bosom of this lovely shore, millions of Irishmen 
in America, living and dead, have slept for the last time, 
and have shed their last tears on Irish soil. 

The heart-rending wails, prayers and tearful farewells 
that have been uttered here, have no counterpart in the 
history of the human family. Fifty thousand is the 
average number of emigrants that embark from this 
harbor every year ! 

"O bewitching scene! O blissful home, 
Amongst your paths I'd love to roam; 
And ponder o'er those faded days 
Whose memory casts her brightest rays; 
And nought but the Atlantic's roar 
I'd hear by your pebbly shore, 
Save the wild pigeon's cooing note 
Or bleating of the mountain goat." 



IRISH MINSTRELSY. 



THE IRISH BALLAD SINGER.* 

CONSIDERING the dearth of current literature in 
Ireland, no public character-writer, poet or orator, 
has contributed more towards the maintenance and 
development of ethnical characteristics than the Irish 
ballad singer. 

Parading along the thoroughfares of the large cities 
and streets of the country villages, he never failed to 
extol chivalry and virtue and denounce national apos- 
tasy and crime; his bosom heaved as he chanted the 
noble deeds of patriots and philanthropists, whilst a 
wrathful scowl overshadowed his manly brow as he re- 
counted the shameful misdeeds of tyranny and oppres- 
sion. The sorrows, sufferings and aspirations of the 
nation were chanticleered with a pathos that often ex- 
cited the most ardent enthusiasm in the breasts of his 
auditors. In some respects, the burden of the ballad 
singer's notes appeared to be anomalous; the Judge 
and Jury were frequently assailed in words of scathing 
reproof, whilst the victim condemned to the gallows 
was panegyrized as though he were a martyr and not a 
capital criminal. This will appear intelligible when we 

* "Give me the ballads of a nation, and I care not who made its 
laws." — A. Fletcher. 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 147 

consider how often so-called "Law and Order" have 
been perverted by the ruling classes in Ireland. 

That of the ballad singer, standing in the midst of 
some public square or street corner, surrounded by an 
ever increasing motley crowd, holding a string of bal- 
lads, and between notes doffing his hat at a recognized 
acquaintance, or winking a't the pretty girls wedged 
amongst the crowd, is a picture novel as it is interesting. 
Frequently, before his song was ended, the crowd vocif- 
erously applauding, his enthusiasm overleaped the limits 
of measured harmony. Indeed, such poets as Moore, 
Goldsmith and Thomas Duffet minimized the wild re- 
frain of Irish minstrelsy. A rattling, reckless extrava- 
gance, a dare-devil humor most frequently characterized 
the improvised notes of the Irish ballad singer, and gave 
them the racial pathos that rendered them so striking 
and picturesque. "The Fair Hilis of Ireland," "The 
Wearing of the Green," "The Cruiskeen Lawn," and 
the "Sprig of Shillelagh," furnished full scope to his 
fertile imagination. At fairs, patterns and races the 
ballad singer's voice was loudest and clearest. 

Although the following cannot be considered a typical 
specimen of Irish Minstrelsy, still, the fact that it ex- 
cited the wrath of the Tory government to impose a 
sentence of three months' imprisonment (Dec. '89) on a 
poor ballad singer and his wife who dared to sing it in 
public, we trust, will be ample apology for its insertion: 



Mother, alanna, don't be crying though I am far away 

From the cottage where you reared me and where I used to play, 

Better times are shortly coming to alleviate our woe, 

And we'll all embark for Ireland when the landlords <ro. 



148 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 



'The landlord compensated you with very slender purse, 
He heeded not the widow's wail nor the orphan's curse, 
He thought to get the farm till the Land League told him no- 
Uut we'll all go home to Ireland when the landlords go. 

in. 

Though I'm far away from Ireland, still the farm try and keep; 
It was salted well with rent, but now it's very cheap; 
The only tenants are the rats, the jackdaw, and the crow, 
So we'll all go home to Ireland when the landlords go. 



The Land League is shielding you from every hurt and harm — 
There's not a man in Ireland would take a widow's farm — 
There's no one found to till the ground, nor yet the crop to sow — 
So we'll all go back to Ireland when the landlords go. 

An anecdote, published by a veteran of the late 
American war will suffice to show the popularity of the 
following ballad composed by the patriot T. D. Sullivan. 
It was the evening before the great battle of Fredericks- 
burg. The federal army lay under arms all night sad- 
dened by the loss of so many brave comrades. Captain 
Downing, an Irishman, commenced to chant this favor- 
ite song; the refrain of the first couplet was taken up and 
chorused by his regiment, then by the brigade, again by 
the division and finally by the entire army line, extend- 
ing a distance of six miles. When the captain had 
ended the song he was more than surprised to hearken 
to his song echoed back by the confederate lines on the 
opposite side of the river. 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 14i> 
SONG FROM THE BACKWOODS. 

T. D. SULLIVAN, 1857. 

Deep in Canadian woods we've met, 

From one bright island flown; 
Great is the land we tread, but yet 

Our hearts are with our own. 
And ere we leave this shanty small, 
While fades the autumn day, 

We'll toast old Ireland! dear old Ireland! 
Ireland, boys, hurra! 

We've heard her faults a hundred times, 

The new ones and the old, 
In songs and sermons, rants and rhymes, 

Enlarged some fifty-fold. 
But take them all, the great and small, 
And this we've got to say: — 

Here's dear old Ireland! good old Ireland! 
Ireland, boys, hurra. 

We know that brave and good men tried 

To snap her rusty chain, 
That patriots suffered, martyrs died, 

And all, 'tis said, in vain; 
But no, boys, no! a glance will show 
How far they've won their way — 

Here's good old Ireland! loved old Ireland! 
Ireland, boys, hurra! 

We've seen the wedding and the wake, 

The patron and the fair; 
The stuff they take, the fun they make, 

And the heads they break down there, 
With a loud "hurroo" and a "pillalu," 
And a thundering " clear the way! " 

Here's gay old Ireland! dear old Ireland! 
Ireland, boys, hurra! 



150 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

And well we know in the cool grey eves, 

When the hard day's work is o'er, 
How soft and sweet are the words that greet 1 

The friends who meet once more; 
With "Mary machree!" and "My Pat! 'tis he!'* 
And " My own heart night and day! " 
Ah, fond old Ireland! dear old Ireland! 
Ireland, boys, hurra! 

And happy and bright are the groups that pass. 

From their peaceful homes, for miles 
O'er fields, and roads, and hills, to Mass, 

When Sunday morning smiles! 
And deep the zeal their true hearts feel 
When low they kneel and pray. 

O, dear old Ireland! blest old Ireland! 
Ireland, boys, hurra! 

But deep in Canadian woods we've met, 

And we never may see again 
The dear old isle where our hearts are set, 

And our first fond hopes remain! 
But come, fill up another cup, 
And with every sup let's say — 

Here's loved old Ireland! good old Ireland! 
Ireland, boys-, hurra! 

That national apostasy militates against the genius 
and spirit of the nation may be seen from the following 
insertion. In the memorable year of '98, a young man, 
the leader of a secret band of insurgents was captured. 
He was offered pardon if he would turn king's evidence 
by giving the names of his accomplices. His mother, 
hearing that he was wavering, and fearing lest he should 
turn informer, addressed him in the following strain: 



IRISH SCENEUY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 151 
THE PATRIOT MOTHER. 

A BALLAD OF '98. 

" Come, tell us the name of the rebelly crew, 
Who lifted the pike on the Curragh with you; 
Come, tell us the treason, and then you'll be free, 
Or right quickly you'll swing from the high gallows tree." 

"A /anna/ a/anna/ the shadow of shame 
Has never yet fallen upon one of your name, 
And O ! may the food from my bosom you drew, 
In your veins turn to poison, if you turn untrue. 

"The foul words — O! let them not blacken your tongue, 
That would prove to your friends and your country a wrong. 
Or the curse of a mother, so bitter and dread, 
With the wrath of the Lord — may they fall on your head! 

"I have no one but you in the whole world wide, 
Yet false to your pledge, you'd ne'er stand at my side: 
If a traitor you lived, you'd be farther away 
From my heart than, if true, you were wrapped in the clay. 

"O! deeper and darker the mourning would be, 
For your falsehood so base, than your death proud and free, 
Dearer, far dearer than ever to me, 
My darling, you'll be on the brave gallows tree! 

" Tis holy, agra, from the bravest and best — 
Go! go! from my heart, and be joined with the rest, 
A /anna machrce! O a/anna machree!* 
Sure a 'stag'f and a traitor you never will be." 

There's no look of a traitor upon the young brow 
That's raised to the tempters so haughtily now; 
No traitor e'er held up the firm head so high — 
No traitor e'er show'd such a proud flashing eye. 

* A Icanbh mo chroidhe—O child of my heart. 
t " Stag, 1 ' an informer. 



152 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

On the high gallows tree! on the brave gallows tree! 
Where smiled leaves and blossoms, his sad doom met he[ 
But it never bore blossom so pure or so fair 
As the heart of the martyr that hangs from it there. 

The following ballad recalls the lines of Virgil,* 
ii auri per ramos aura refulget" where the pure gold of 
womanly devotion and purity shines through the modest 
foliage which surround it: 

NICE LITTLE JENNIE FROM BALLINASLOE. 

(street ballad). 

You lads that are funny, and call maids your honey. 

Give ear for a moment, I'll not keep you long; 

I'm wounded by Cupid, he has made me quite stupid, 

To tell you the truth now, my brain's nearly wrong; 

A neat little posy, who lives quite cosy, 

Has kept me unable to walk to and fro; 

Each day I'm declining, in love I'm repining, 

For nice little Jenny from Ballinasloe. 

It was in September, I'll ever remember, 

I went out to walk by a clear river side 

For sweet recreation, but, to my vexation, 

This wonder of Nature I quickly espied; 

I stood for to view her an hour I'm sure; 

The earth could not show such a damsel, I know, 

As that little girl, the pride of the world, 

Called nice little Jenny from Ballinasloe. 

I said to her: " Darling! this is a nice morning; 
The birds sing enchanting, which charms the groves* 
Their notes do delight me, and you do invite me, 
Along this clear water some time for to rove; 

* yEneid lib. 6, v. 204. 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 15$ 

Your beauty has won me, and surely undone me, 
If you won't agree for to cure my sad woe, 
So great is my sorrow, I'll ne'er see to-morrow, 
My sweet little Jenny from Ballinasloe." 

"Sir, I did not invite you, nor yet dare slight you; 
You're at your own option to act as you please; 
I am not ambitious, nor e'er was officious, 
I am never inclined to disdain or to tease; 
I love conversation, likewise recreation, 
I'm free with a friend, and I'm cold with a foe; 
But virtue's my glory, and will be till I'm hoary," — 
Said nice little Jenny from Ballinasloe. 

' Most lovely of creatures! your beautiful features 
Have sorely attracted and captured my heart; 
If you won't relieve me, in truth you may believe me, 
Bewildered in sorrow till death I must smart; 
I'm at your election, so grant me protection, 
And feel for a creature that's tortured in woe; 
One smile it will heal me; one frown it will kill me; 
Sweet, nice little Jenny from Ballinasloe!" 

' Sir, yonder's my lover, if he should discover 
Or ever take notice you spoke unto me, 
He'd close your existence in spite of resistance; 
Be pleased to withdraw, then, lest he might you see; 
You see he's approaching, then don't be encroaching, 
He has his large dog and his gun there also; 
Although you're a stranger I wish you from danger," 
Said nice little Jenny from Ballinasloe. 

I bowed then genteelly, and thanked her quite freely; 
I bid her adieu and took to the road; 
So great was my trouble my pace I did double; 
My heart was oppressed and sank down with the load; 
For ever I'll mourn for beauteous Jane Curran, 
And ramble about in affection and woe, 
And think on the hour I saw that sweet flower, — 
My dear little Jenny from Ballinasloe! 
7* 



154 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

"The whole history of Irish subjugation and its seven 
centuries of successive struggles," says a distinguished 
historian,* begins with the carrying off of Devorgilla, 
wife of Tiernan O'Rourke, King of Breffni by a disso- 
lute giant, Desmond Macmurrough, King of Leinster. 
Through ages of bondage and slaughter the country has 
indeed bled for her shame." One might paraphrase the 
words of Shakespeare's Diomed in Troilus and Cressida* 
"that for every false drop in her bawdy veins, an Eng- 
lish life hath sunk; and for every scruple of her con- 
taminated carrion weight an Irishman was slain." The 
Lord of Breffni made war on his betrayer. Dermot fled 
to England where his cause was espoused by King 
Henry II. At the time, the only Englishman who ever 
occupied the papal chair, Adrian IV, was Pope. 

It is said that the English King obtained from this 
Pope a bull, authorizing him to invade Ireland, which 
he represented as an "uncivilized and barbarous nation. '* 
Whilst historians do not agree in their opinions concern- 
ing the issue of such a papal mandate, it is certain that 
Henry, availing himself of Desmond's quarrel, sent over 
to Ireland an army of Norman barons headed by Rich- 
ard de Clare, commonly called Strongbow,f who suc- 
ceeded in subduing the Irish clans and placing the 
country under English rule, for the first time. 

Before the invasion, Ireland was divided into four 
confederate tribes: the O'Neils of Ulster, the O'Con- 
nors of Connaught, the MacMurroughs of Leinster and 
the O'Briens and MacCarthys of Munster. After the 
invasion, the Normans soon swarmed over the country, 
forcing their strange names and strange ways into the 

* Justin MacCarthy. fA. D. 1170. 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 155 

homes of the time-honored Septs. De Burgos, Fitz- 
maurices, Fitzgeralds, De Laceys, De Courcys and 
Mandevilles were to be the new masters of those who 
were heretofore ruled by the lords of the and the 
Mac. 

There is a grim ironic mockery in the thought that 
two nations have been for centuries set in the bitterest 
hatred by the behavior of a lusty savage and an unfaith- 
ful wife. 

The following beautiful poem from the pen of Moore, 
refers to this painful event: 

THE SONG OF O'RUARK, 

PRINCE OF BREFFNI. 



The valley lay smiling before me, 

Where lately I left her behind; 
Yet I trembled, and something hung o'er me 

That sadden'd the joy of my mind. 
I look'd for the lamp which, she told me, 

Should shine when her pilgrim* return'd; 
But, though darkness began to enfold me, 

No lamp from the battlements burn'd. 

I flew to her chamber — 'twas lonely, 

As if the loved tenant lay dead; — 
Ah, would it were death, and death only! 

But no, the young false one had fled. 
And there hung the lute that could soften 

My very worst pains into bliss, 
While the hand that had waked it so often 

Now throbb'd to a proud rival's kiss. 

* O'Rourke went on a pilgrimage, an act of piety frequent in those 
days. 



15G IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

There was a time, falsest of women! 

When Breffni's good sword would have sought 
That man, through a million of foemen, 

Who dared but to wrong thee in thought! 
While, now — O degenerate daughter 

Of Erin, how fallen is thy fame! 
And through ages of bondage and slaughter, 

Our country shall bleed for thy shame. 

Already the curse is upon her, 

And strangers her valleys profane; 
They come to divide — to dishonor, 

And tyrants they long will remain. 
But onward ! — the green banner rearing, 

Go, flesh every sword to the hilt; 
On our side is Virtue and Erin, 

On theirs is the Saxon and Guilt. 

The following account of the passage of the "Union'" 
dees more credit to the diplomacy than integrity of the 
British Parliament: 

THE UNION. 



SLIABH CUILINN. 

How did they pass the Union? 

By perjury and fraud; 
By slaves who sold their land for gold, 

As Judas sold his God, 
By all the savage acts that yet 

Have followed England's track — 
The pitchcap and the bayonet, 
The gibbet and the rack. 

And thus was passed the Union, 

By Pitt and Castlereagh; 
Could Satan send for such an end 
More worthy tools than they? 



IRISH SCENERY., MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 157 

How thrive we by the Union ? 
Look round our native land; 
In ruined trade and wealth decayed 

See slavery's surest brand ; 
Our glory as a nation gone; 

Our substance drained away; 
A wretched province trampled on, 
Is all we've left to-day. 

Then curse with me the Union, 
That juggle foul and base — 
The baneful root that bore such fruit 
Of ruin and disgrace. 

And shall it last, this Union, 
To grind and waste us so ? 
O'er hill and lea, from sea to sea, 

All Ireland thunders, No! 
Eight million necks are stiff to bow — 

We know our might as men; 
We conquered once before, and now 
We'll conquer once again, 
And rend the cursed Union, 
And fling it to the wind — 
And Ireland's laws in Ireland's cause 
Alone our hearts shall bind! 



NATIONAL TRHITS AND CHARACTER. 



BEFORE closing the pages of this little volume, we 
would indite a few remarks concerning the present 
inhabitants of Ireland. Although our assumptions may 
appear gratuitous and rather bold, nevertheless, we ven- 
ture to insert them. 

No matter how copious the quotations from other 
authors may be, we think a descriptive writer should 
record his own observations, even though they may not 
always be unimpeachable. Accordingly, we assure the 
reader that no motive shall induce us to suppress facts, 
however humiliating, or assert traits that are more 
flattering than pertinent to the national character. 
Having sojourned in Ireland (my native country) during 
the greater parts of the years '88 and '89., after a resi- 
dence of almost a quarter of a century in the United 
States, I presume my allegations are as trustworthy as 
might be expected from an impartial and careful ob- 
server. 

Like other nations, the Irish have their virtues* and 
their vices. Their virtues we cannot recommend in 
more forcible language than to affirm that an upright 
Irishman is one of the noble specimens of the human 
family; your life, your virtue and your wealth you may 
unhesitatingly entrust to his care. On the other hand, 

* '■ Her virtues are her own, her vices were forced upon her." — R. 
Holmes. 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 159 

there are some vices and failings still prevalent, that no 
true Irishman or christian can endorse. 

Ireland has furnished arch-traitors* (perhaps, has 
some within her bosom to-day) equally reprobate with 
Benedict Arnold and Titus Oates. The most notori- 
ous informers and vile apostates Ireland ever knew, 
were some of her own ungrateful children. The in- 
famous James Cary, Richard Pigott and Delaney were 
Irishmen. The scurrilous pamphlet, " Parnellism .a?ia 
Crime," we regret to say, was penned by an Irish 
hand. At present, an Irish ex-M. P. is conniving at, if 
not abetting the efforts that are being made to incrimi- 
nate the leader and chief representative of the Irish 
nation. 

•But we would not dare asperse the national character 
by such insignificant exceptions. Ireland, compared 
with other nations, can produce a glorious record. The 
religious or national apostasy of a few of her sons and 
daughters does not tarnish the nation's integrity, no 
more than a decayed branch or a withered leaf disfigures 
the symmetry of the sturdy oak. 

Ireland, to-day, is a veritable repository of uncom- 
promising virtue. A stranger landing on its green 
shores, can sniff with the aroma of fragrant hawthorns 
and furze blossoms, the sweet odor of purity and un- 
varnished charity; he finds what is difficult to be found 
elsewhere — virtue mantled in purple as well as clothed 
in rags. 

Naturally averse to hypocrisy and political chicanery, 
the fair gifts wherewith nature has blessed the Irish 

* " Let Erin remember the days of old 

Ere faithless sons betrayed her." — Moore. 



160 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

people permit them to dispense with religious and social 
tinsel. Neither the wardrobe nor the money chest fore- 
stalls the merits of an Irish woman or man in his native 
land. 

The foregoing remarks might be said to represent the 
general outlines of Irish character at the present day. 
We shall now beg to particularize our comments by re- 
viewing Irish traits in their social, physical and religious 
aspect. To render our description plainer, we shall 
institute a comparison between the inhabitants of Ire- 
land and America. 

SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS. 

Socially, it is not surprising that America, to which all 
European nations contribute the best brain, bone and 
sinew, should far out-rival the motherland. Whilst the 
poor emigrant from Erin is dubbed "the green horn" 
for a year or two after landing, an American is every- 
where reputed a citizen of the world. Priests in Ireland 
have frequently observed that men or women who have 
lived some years in America exhibit more business tact 
and enterprise than other members, not only of the 
family, but of the entire parish. Whether it is compli- 
mentary or otherwise, the peasantry appear very exact 
when dealing with a " Yankee." 

A country of great mountains, rivers, lakes and com- 
merce, is naturally expected to be a country of great 
people. The intellectual refinement and suave deport- 
ment; the air of non-obtrusive confidence and resolve, 
perceptible in the looks of the American youth entitle 
them to converse with the highest grades of society 
from which the lack of social intercourse debars a plu- 
rality of Irish native residents. 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 161 

Whilst the masses of the American people are gen- 
erally less educated, they are unquestionably more gal- 
lant and sentimental than their Irish or British cousins. 
Although "Brother Jonathan" has been frequently 
taunted for his inordinate love of the "Almighty Dollar"* 
a careful observer would notice that "John Bull" sel- 
dom fails to prefer the wealth of pounds, shillings and 
pence to any other wealth of nature or virtue that a man 
or woman can possess. The "Maid of Erin," too, casts 
a loving glance at the u Queen's Head " in current specie. 
An Irish shopkeeper or farmer never dreams of marry- 
ing a girl solely for the graces of her saintly life and the" 
figure of her handsome face; he generally selects one 
who can produce "figures" from her purse. Romance, 
then, is not an Irish or an English commodity. In all 
parts of Great Britain and Ireland society is segregated 
into three grand divisions, designated first, second and 
third class. Class No. 1 never associates with class No. 
2, whilst a member of class No. 3 would be considered 
audacious if he were to aspire to any number but 3. 
Those shoddy aristocrats who ignore this fixity of caste, 
and who attempt to put on society manners after they 
have fastened their boots and gloves, are invariably 
pointed out by the finger of scorn or ridicule. 

In pursuing our "social" criticism, we would mention 
a few other faults and unsavory customs of the Irish at 
home. Whilst the lack of industry is not to be won- 
dered at, owing to the stagnant pulse of domestic enter- 
prise, the fact that the independent habits of the people 
indicate unwarranted pride is unaccountable, as it is 

* The term originated with Washington Irving as a satire on the 
American love of gain. 



162 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

unpraiseworthy. The poorest farmer or merchant, no 
matter how numerous his family or imminent his wants, 
will not permit any member to labor for hire or work 
outside his own premises. We allow there are some ex- 
ceptions, but it is painful that we must classify them as 
such. 

Whilst I would not dare asperse my countrymen with 
the taunt of intemperance, I must positively aver there 
are a vast percentage too many liquor shops in every 
city and country village of Ireland. Of course there is 
the old palliative excuse that the people must be lucra- 
tively employed in some business. I do not insinuate 
that intoxication is more prevalent in Ireland than 
America, I simply assert that there is urgent cause to 
propagate the League of the Cross in Ireland. 

The worst feature about intemperance in Ireland is 
that it does not disgust popular sentiment as in America. 
Even some of the fair sex display remarkable potulent 
capabilities. It is nothing extraordinary to see jaunty 
and genteel young ladies enter a coffee or drawing-room 
and call for wines and ciders or other stronger spirituous 
stimulants, and nonchalantly deposit them within their 
dainty bosoms. In America, a lady would be considered 
bold to make such an attempt, even with the aid of a 
straw and considerable handkerchief sneezing. In 
America, a drunken man is universally regarded a dan- 
gerous brute; in Ireland, he is usually wheedled, and 
considers himself more advanced than his "fellows." 

Before this vice can be rooted out of the country, we 
are sorry to say public sentiment, male and female, must 
be reversed. The recent attitude of the patriotic Arch- 
bishop of Dublin (Most Rev. Dr. Walsh) refusing to 
attend a meeting designing to erect a statue of Father 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 1G3 

Mathew in Dublin, appears to endorse our allegation. 
The following insertion is an extract from the venerable 
Archbishop's letter to Mayor Sexton, Oct. 10, 1889: 

"The erection of a statue of Father Mathew is not 
the proper way just now to honor his memory. Let us 
rather make some vigorous efforts to perpetuate his 
work. Until that is done, and done with a substantial 
measure of success, a statue of Father Mathew would 
only serve as a standing record of reproach to all. The 
lesson taught by certain statistics recently published is, 
that one of the most urgent needs of our day in Ireland 
is the establishment of national organizations for the 
suppression of intemperance." 

When we consider that the government withholds 
almost all lucrative employments from Irish Catholics, 
it is a matter of surprise to find the vast majority of the 
people so temperate. It is a fearful arraignment to 
allege that the attitude of the present government posi- 
tively encourages the liquor traffic and intemperance in 
Ireland. This is villainous policy and should herald the 
death-knell of the party capable of such infamy. 

The next abuse which custom has sanctioned in Ire- 
land, the employment of young women in the sale of 
intoxicants, is so prevalent that we shall devote a special 
tract to its discussion. 

AN IRISH BAR-MAID. 

In many first, and almost all second-class hotels in 
Ireland, after a tourist or traveller has engaged sitting 
and sleeping compartments, it is customary that all sub- 
sequent arrangements shall be negotiated with the Bar- 
Maid. She is an agreeable and ever accessible conductor 
of business and gossip. 



164 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

As Bar-Maids who are in requisition must be well 
educated, and possessed of refined and engaging man- 
ners, it follows that no ill-tempered or coarse-mannered 
woman can maintain the office. The more charming 
her physique, and insinuating her wit, the more suitable 
she is for the position.* 

The duties of an efficient Bar-Maid are manifold and 
sometimes infeasible. Besides being an expert in the 
distribution of cordials, cigars and matches, she is be- 
times expected to pose as an avowed Nationalist, an 
out-spoken Liberal, and occasionally, a reserved Tory; 
hence, she is expected to possess an inexhaustible store 
of patience, coquetry and slang. She must duly record 
day and date of boarders' arrival, and in well-rounded 
chirography, indite every chargeable service in their 
"bill." Although never called by her christian name, 
such as Mary, Kate or Rose, she is always expected to 
promptly respond when addressed patronymically Miss 
A, B, or C. She is cognizant of the idiosyncrasies as 
well as the normal humor of each inmate; whilst with 
the employed members of the household, she is an 
acknowledged favorite. An eligible Bar-Maid must be 
always marriageable and under thirty; must have a pair 
of bright, laughing eyes, incapable of wincing or frown- 
ing at any double-meaning remark or improvident ex- 
posure; ears, ready to hearken to good or evil report, 
equally indifferent to prayers and curses, hymns or pro- 
fane ditties; nasal organs, not over-sensitive in the 

* The following notice appeared in the "want" column of the 
Dublin "Freeman" of 1889: — 

Bar-Maid Wanted. — Good appearance indispensible. Send 
Photo and address. 



IUISII SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 165 

presence of uncorked, souring bottles and belching 
stomachs. Although her position entitles her to repel 
labial or manual familiarity with her rosy cheeks, her 
soft white hand must not be too quickly withdrawn from 
the rude or lecherous grasp of a customer. Her tongue, 
like her ungloved hand, must neither be too frisky nor 
too reserved; it is expected to join occasionally in the 
unlicensed chorus of ribaldry and persiflage. The Bar- 
Maid would be unfit for her position should she attempt 
to retort any insinuation, however obscene or sarcastic, 
addressed to her by gentlemen patrons. 

The Bar-Maid, like the wandering courtesan, can 
succeed only while she is young and handsome. When 
wrinkles furrow into her velvet dimples, and silver 
threads commingle with her raven or flaxen hair, she is 
no longer suitable for the bar. If her accumulated 
savings are not competent to support her in the. winter 
of her age, she need not appeal to the philanthropy of 
those who once patronized her counter. The aged Bar- 
Maid, like a faded rose in a crystal epergne, is invariably 
cast away and the vacancy re-filled by a fresh and 
blooming substitute.* 

It redounds to the chivalry of our people that no re- 
spectable young woman is permitted to fill such a 
degrading position in America. It is an unmitigated 
shame, that in two such christian countries as Ireland 
and England (Scotland has no Bar-Maids) that a refined 
and innocent girl should be constrained to fill such -an 
unsavory and loathsome occupation. In the name of 
Irish maiden-hood and national modesty, we would en- 

* A respectable Bar-Maid assured the Author that her dismissal 
was caused by the application of a younger and a handsomer girl. 



166 IRISH SCBNERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

treat that young women be no longer employed as Bar- 
Maids in Ireland.f 

A stranger conversant with the Irish peasantry cannot 
fail to notice considerable difference, if not covert hos- 
tility entertained by not a few of the inhabitants towards 
the national cause. Several Priests and prominent land- 
leaguers have declared that the national movement has 
been frequently marred by personal or local quarrels 
and petty jealousies, and that it required all their energy 
to keep the masses of the people banded together. 
Although the abstract of landlordism has been the 
greatest curse that ever afflicted the Irish race, yet there 
are in Ireland at the present day, farmers and shop- 
keepers who, like Esau, would sell their national birth- 
right for a "mess of pottage;" men who, for a paltry re- 
duction of rent, or the offer of a cheap house or farm, 
would trample upon their country's noblest aspirations. 

During my recent visit to Ireland I have frequently 
heard men and women attribute selfish motives to the 
sayings and doings of members of Parliament, newspaper 
editors and prominent Home Rulers. Even those who 
were cast into prison did not escape their vindictive 

f Lest the foregoing criticism should be misconstrued, we beg to 
state that by its insertion, we had no intention to cast obloquy on the 
many respectable young ladies who fill this position in Ireland. Like 
a majority of their countrywomen, their behavior is above hostile 
criticism. We simply attack .the office — not those who fill the office 
of .Bar-Maid. Last summer, two respectable gentlemen still living 
in Ireland, happened to be engaged in a room adjacent to a Bar, and 
accidentally overhearing part of the language spoken in the presence 
of the young lady at the Bar, declared they would rather see their 
sisters dead than become Bar-Maids. These gentlemen sympathized 
with the young lady and enthusiastically admired her forbearance and 
modesty. 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 167 

vituperation. The same suspicious spirit prevails to 
some extent in this country also. An Irishman who 
was elected Mayor of a large city in the United States 
once assured me that before and during his term in 
office, his greatest enemies were his own countrymen. 
Men who were most obsequious to his predecessor (a 
bigoted Orangeman) often left him meditating on their 
parting words — "that he was nothing better than a 
Donegal pedlar." Even if those men who have gained 
national notoriety in Ireland had selfish motives (which 
we disbelieve) they have not thereby forfeited their 
claim to national commendation. 

In all the business affairs of life, men are supposed to 
have selfish motives-. The engineer who drives the 
train; the captain who directs the steamboat; the doctor 
or preacher who parts his hair in the middle; men in 
every avenue of enterprise have motives which might 
be considered selfish. It makes no difference. As long 
as they keep on the straight course; whilst they perform 
faithfully the duties of their profession, it is unfair to 
impugn their motives. The man who lends his strength 
to keep the "wheel" moving, no matter what his 
thoughts, words or desires may be, deserves approba- 
tion, and even applause if his efforts are extraordinary. 

Although we have mentioned these failings, we 
honestly aver they are not national characteristics. It 
is only base-minded, insignificant apostates who enter- 
tain such sinister views of their countrymen; they are as 
a few broken links in the national chain; putrid sores, 
visible not on the face, hands or feet, but festering on 
the posterior regions of the nation. 

A few other abuses, chiefly occurring at wakes and 
weddings, and which afforded a theme for the vile satires 



163 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

of such romancers as Carleton and Lever, must not be 
overlooked. It is unpardonable extravagance, besides 
a shame to supply the numerous persons who attend 
wakes with liquors, snuff, pipes and tobacco. We are 
pleased to state that the old custom of story-telling and 
chanting the Caione by disinterested mourners is be- 
coming obsolete, except in certain rural districts. In- 
viting twenty^ and sometimes thirty couples to poor 
weddings incurs further reprehensible extravagance. 

There are some other national characteristics, which 
although occasionally productive of good, nevertheless, 
do not appear to harmonize with the dictates of justice 
and christian charity. A pertinent instance is where 
the public sins of a parent or other member of a family 
are visited upon the children — often to the second and 
third generations. The accidental good that may result 
from the popular odium of murder, robbery, adultery or 
other great crimes, is not sufficient warranty to cause 
innocent persons to suffer. 

Another unseemly custom is that of parents giving 
all their real and personal property to their children on 
the occasion of their marriage. The prevalence of this 
custom may be attributed to the cruel regulations of 
landlords who forbade a dual ownership or partition of 
their lands. It is a hardship — perhaps a sin against 
justice that, in the winter of their lives, parents should 
be required to yield the fruit of their life-long industry, 
and become dependent on the whimsical smiles and 
frowns of affianced relatives. 

Tipping hotel-waiters, chamber-maids and "boots" is 
also a distasteful British custom to which no lady or 
gentleman should be subjected. It is a scurvy advan- 
tage masters take of their servants when they diminish 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 169 

their wages, leaving them to recoup the deficit from 
tourists and travelers. If the servants' fees were equa- 
ble, the practice would not be so objectionable; but they 
usually fluctuate, being higher or lower in different 
hotels and on certain occasions. Hence, American 
tourists have often been exposed to insolence for having 
failed to furnish these expectative dues. 

Amongst Irish social nuisances, the jarvey or jaunt- 
ing car driver is entitled to particular notice. Whilst a 
drive on an ordinary jaunting-car affords about as little 
comfort as a ride on a rusty bicycle, the driver is never 
satisfied until he obtains a full history of the passen- 
ger's past life and future intentions. The duration and 
geniality of the conversation usually represent the 
amount of his fare. Whilst pretending to be an infalli- 
ble exponent of politics and romance, we compliment 
his veracity by acknowledging his power of imagery to 
be amazingly fertile and flexible. 

In no country of the world, perhaps, are the idiosyn- 
crasies of certain individuals more noticeable than in 
Ireland. Here, you meet the humorous wag, with head 
gear either on his poll or completely covering his fore- 
head and eyes; the English or would be English snob, 
with a single eye-glass, twirling a gold or silver mounted 
cane and preceded by a pampered spaniel which appears 
to be his guide. But for effeminate and arrogant pom- 
posity, an eccentric Irish sergeant major caps the cli- 
max. The habiliments of an ordinary circus clown are 
commonplace compared with his bespangled uniform, 
divided by a silken sash and subdivided into manifold 
sections, outlined with orange braid and brass buttons; 
his rubicund breast bears gold and silver medals; a glit- 
tering sword dangles by his side; his gold banded cap 



1*0 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

(about the size of a tiny tea cup) is securely strapped 
to his ear, whilst his nether garments are ready to burst 
with a superabundance of " Her Majesty V flesh. See- 
ing squadrons of those fellows passing through the 
country villages in pairs, I often wondered how the 
donkeys (which are captious rascals) could restrain 
their vociferous propensities. 

We now approach the most knotty question: 

PHYSIQUE AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 

Having premised that the best brain, bone and sinew 
of all nations emigrate to America, and recollecting that 
some sixty thousand natives leave Ireland for America 
■every year, the compliment is mutually flattering to both 
countries. It must, however, be allowed that native- 
born Irishmen at home or abroad are capable of more 
physical endurance than those born in this Continent. 

As in all parts of Ireland the whims of caste have 
separated the people into various classes, differing each 
from each, so their forms and features are shapen or 
distorted. Indeed, in no other country of the world 
might one distinguish such a variety in a single race. 
Here, you see the fairest specimens and the most re- 
pulsive caricatures of humanity; the bright and laugh- 
ing faces of purse-proud aristocracy riding through 
bare-footed and bare-handed deformity. 

While nature and society appear to smile on one, they 
seem to frown on another class; shrivelled men and 
women, wanting color and calor, and whose hairs have 
been blanched by the bitter winters of bye-gone genera- 
tions of poverty and oppression, vested in rags and eat- 
ing and drinking what would offend their high-born 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 171 

neighbors' dogs. Poetic imagery fails to picture cer- 
tain enchanting villas, stately mansions and happy 
homes, whilst again you would find the most squalid 
hovels, inhabited by colonies of haggard and hungry 
looking faces. 

We presume the reader will be pleased to endorse the 
following description of the ''fair sex" by William M. 
Thackeray, an English Protestant, whose writings reveal 
but little sympathy for the Irish. (Sketch Book, p. 58): 

"I never saw, in any country, more general grace of manner and 
ladyhood. In the midst of their gaiety, they are the chastest of 
women. They excel the French and English ladies, not only in wit 
and vivacity, but also in song and music. There is something pecu- 
liarly tender and pleasing in the looks of the peasantry. I am bound 
to say that on rich or poor shoulders I never saw so many beautiful 
faces in my life. And lest the fair public may have a bad opinion of 
their laughing and romping, and awfui levity, let it be said that with 
all this laughing and romping, there are no more innocent girls in the 
world than the Irish girls. The women of our squeamish country 
are far more liable to err." 

We will conclude our "physical" discussion by a brief 
reference to 

THE IRISH BROGUE. 

Those specimens of brogue that are represented on 
the stage, revealing faulty orthography and worse syn- 
tax, are painful caricatures of our mother tongue. Ex- 
cept Joseph Murphy, Dion Boucicault and J. K. Emmet, 
almost all other modern dramatists furnish spurious, if 
not vile renditions of Irish brogue. u 'Pon vie sowl oi 
nivver tould yez nothin ov the loike." To palm such a 
sentence for Irish brogue betrays lamentable ignorance 
or malice; it is counterfeiting gold with brass. 



172 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

The Irish who communicate their thoughts in such 
jargon are but a sparse minority of the populace — poor 
peasants to whom Providence has denied the advantages 
afforded you and I, fair reader. But as wine is kept in 
earthen better than shining brass vessels, so many of 
those poor creatures have preserved faith and purity, 
when those who could wield the pen and harmoniously 
vibrate the piano keys, have lost many of the precious 
jewels entrusted to them by their Maker. 

Hoping the reader will pardon this digression, we 
will resume the thread of our subject. In every country 
as well as Ireland, there are those who have but an im- 
perfect knowledge of the standard tongue. In England, 
there is the haughty Cockney who pronounces *orse for 
horse, hoats for oats, baibee for baby; the horny-handed 
Highlander substitutes kirk for church, bairn for child 
and man for man. A Welchman would not be under- 
stood in London or Edinburgh. But then it may be 
objected that our comments only refer to provincialisms, 
dialects or patois. Exactly so! The corrupt English 
that is spoken in certain parts of Ireland might be 
classified in like manner. But the brogue is entirely a 
different feature; it bears no relation to the grammati- 
cal constituents, but rather to the intonation of language. 
The Irish brogue when properly emphasized, is the most 
fascinating embellishment of the Celtic, English, Latin 
o.r any other tongue which it modulates;, it is to lan- 
guage what leaves are to a tree, or flowers' to a rose 
bush. It is a false notion to suppose it inseparable from 
"Blarney; " on the contrary, it can never assimilate with 
hypocrisy, since it is telephoned only through the ten- 
derest chords of the Irish heart. 

The English language is never spoken with more 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 173 

pathos and eloquence than when flavored with the racy 
pith of the Irish brogue. 

Having- located social and physical facts, we now pur- 
pose to indite some brief remarks concerning- 

o 

THE ASPECT OF RELIGION IN IRELAND. 

In order to render our comments more intelligible we 
shall again beg to extend our comparison between the 
merits of the inhabitants of the New and the Old country. 
Although conceding to the Irish at home the encomiums 
due to their unswerving maintenance and profession of 
Catholicism, nevertheless, we consider there are several 
instances of practical faith wherein Catholics of the 
United States surpass them. American Catholics are 
manual rather than labial worshipers — in plainer words, 
while they pray less, they disburse more towards the 
support of religion and the suffrage of the "departed." 

While admitting there are numerous cases of oppres- 
sion and poverty in Ireland that have no counterpart in 
this country, it cannot be said that Catholics there are 
less able to contribute. Taking a bird's-eye-view of both 
countries, we find that churches, convents and schools 
in Ireland are far superior to those of this country, whilst 
they are invariably free from mortgages and debts. 
The system of dowry which Irish parents are expected 
to furnish at the marriage of their children, may be re- 
garded as the chief ostensible obstacle to their religious 
generosity. The monetary gifts which American Catho- 
lics bestow on the occasion of baptisms, funerals and 
"requiem" Masses are munificent compared to the 
paltry offerings made in Ireland. A vast majority of 
American churches were built within the memory of the 



174 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

present generation who contributed towards their erec- 
tion. In Ireland, seventy-five per cent, of the inhabi- 
tants never witnessed the erection of their churches. 
Irish men and women who left the old "Sod" fifty or 
eighty years ago, can yet see the old chapels wherein 
their infant forms were laved in the waters of baptism 
and where they knelt and prayed in bye-gone days. 
The bones of those who built those grand old edifices 
are now resting in and around the ruins of old churches 
desecrated by Cromwell and his craven minions. 

Hoping the reader will overlook this apparent digres- 
sion, we will resume our comparison. In America, the 
poorest Catholic man or maid-servant either rents a seat 
in church or pays a small sum every Sunday. Church 
seats are never ren. d in Ireland for a year or fraction 
of a year; while only in Dublin, Cork and a few of the 
larger cities is any offering required for a special Sun- 
day seat. In several dioceses of America, the Priests 
make quarterly, and in some places monthly collecting 
visitations throughout each parish, or else require 
monthly contributions in the church. Except the Xmas, 
Easter and Curates' collections, they seldom have other 
collections in Ireland. 

Besides the general and munificent offerings of "All 
Souls' Day" the poorest family in America provide for 
a high Mass of "requiem" at the funeral of a deceased 
member. On such occasions in Ireland, there may be 
one or two low Masses offered. The Priests who attend 
funerals in Ireland are merely expected to wear a white 
linen sash and hat-band, while they accompany the 
funeral procession to the grave on an outside car. 
Again, in America, graves, cemetery lots and individual 
headstones are a source of considerable expense; in Ire- 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 175 

land, one grave is generally made the repository of ances- 
try and posterity. While funerals in Ireland are less 
decorous and expensive, the adornment of cemeteries 
and graves, the numerous floral offerings and anniver- 
sary Masses for departed relatives in America have no 
equivalent in Ireland. 

The substantial and financial contributions towards 
"bazaars" « fairs" "picnics" etc., in this country far 
exceed the receipts of similar devices in the Old country. 
Again, almost every Catholic church in America, includ- 
ing those of country villages, has a choir attached, whose 
organist and leading choristers receive a stipulated 
salary. Few, if any choirs are paid in Ireland, their 
services being usually volunteered. Indeed, if we ex- 
cept a few churches in Dublin, Cork and Belfast, solemn 
high Masses are never celebrated on Sundays or other 
days except on the occurrence of a special feast, whilst 
high Masses or Missae cantatae are never heard, low- 
Masses being ordinarily substituted. 

As we have already insinuated, churches, schools, 
convents and parsonages in America are continually- 
being built, often before the ground on which they stand 
has been released of debt. The Pastor must borrow 
from a bank or some other influential corporation, whilst 
the poor parishioners have to ward off the foreclosure of 
mortgage by liberal, and often strained contributions. 
Irish Priests and Nuns who make a tour through the 
States in quest of contributions or send out numerous 
bazaar tickets, (a practice discouraged by the late 
Plenary Council of Baltimore), will be surprised and 
sorry to learn that some American Priests and Nuns 
have to contend not only against monetary embarrass- 
ment, but financial ruin. 



176 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

We shall conclude our relative comparisons by adding 
that benevolent, total abstinence and religious societies' 
for both sexes are more numerous and better organized 
in America than in Ireland. 




AN APOLOGY. 



IF, in the preceding pages, we have said things uncom- 
plimentary to the present inhabitants of Ireland, we 
would make amends by reminding the reader that the 
peoples of other countries have social and religious de- 
fects, perhaps, more numerous and reprehensible. As 
a parent reveals greater wisdom and love by holding- 
out for their inspection, the faults and foibles of his 
children, so we respectfully declare that the desire to 
render the people still more perfect has been the sole 
motive for our exposing their domestic habits to the 
gaze of the American public. 

We are now pleased to concede to the Irish people, 
both of the present day and of all christian ages, the 
unstinted praise due their manifold virtues, especially 
their inflexible adherence to the Catholic religion. The 
late venerable Pope Pius IX said of them: "They are a 
brave, generous and Catholic people." 

The Irish may truly be called a godly people; the 
worship of God is interwoven with their daily actions 
and ordinary conversation. No visitor will enter a house 
without saying "God bless, or God save all here;" the 
plowman, the spadesman, the harvester, and the "young 
maid milking her cow" are invariably blessed by the 
passer-by, and the salute politely returned — "God speed 
or bless you kindly, Sir or Madam." Tradesmen of 
every profession would consider themselves slighted, if 
not insulted, were an adult to omit this benedictive 

8* 



178 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER 

salute while passing by their work. It would be a 
breach of reciprocal courtesy to^notice a child's physical 
or social qualities without a blessing. The writer can 
never forget how distressed a young Irish mother was 
when an Englishman referred to the beautiful child she 
held in her arms, without calling God to "bless" it. 
Even in epistolary correspondence, the same spirit pre- 
vails. Few letters are sent across the Atlantic from Ire- 
land without a father's or mother's blessing and the 
writer's request for a remembrance in prayer. It would 
be reputed almost a sacrilege to mention a deceased 
person's name without saying "God have mercy, or God 
rest his or her soul." 

With all our vaunted progress in etiquette and belles- 
letters, it must be admitted that the Irish form of salu- 
tation, chiefly common amongst the peasantry is less 
material^ more christian than the American "How d' you 
do?" "So so," "Quite well, thank you," etc. The 
salutation of two persons meeting in Ireland would be 
considered abnormal if God's name were not hallowed 
in every reference to the day or night, the weather or 
condition of health. 

While sojourning in Ireland a stranger would imagine 
he was living amid a patriarchal people who extolled 
God's name in all his works. The Irish peasantry not 
only observe the spirit but the letter of King David's 
psalter,* praising God for sun and moon, heat and cold,, 
rain and drought." 

The people are so thoroughly Catholic that they re- 
gard it a most grievous misfortune to omit or to be late 
for Mass on Sundays. Hence, over morass and mount- 

* Laudate Dominum sol et lumen, etc. (Ps. 148). 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 1 7'J 

ain, the young as also the old men and women (some 
beyond three score and ten) may be seen in the chapel 
(frequently fasting) after having walked a distance of five 
and often seven miles from their homes, regarding rain, 
heat or cold an insufficient excuse for their absence. 
Their manner of worship is awe-inspiring. 

"In an Irish peasant congregation," says the popular 
authoress, Miss Banim, "there is a simplicity of devo- 
tion; an entire self-forgetfulness— a letting the entire 
soul and every thought show itself in the face and atti- 
tude. They seem to realize the solemnity of the words 
of Holy Writ: 'This is an awful place, the house of 
God.' Everything else is forgotten but God whom they 
desire to adore and to whom they offer every petition 
and expose every want. Here an old man kneels, his 
hands clasped on the crook of his stick, his chin resting 
on the folded hands, his eyes immovably fixed on the 
face of the Priest whose every movement and prayer he 
seems to comprehend; near him a woman prays in the 
reverential eastern attitude, the forehead touching the 
ground; beside this hooded figure, another woman prays 
half aloud, the arms extended in the form of a cross, re- 
minding one of Josue whose prayers were heard only as 
long as his arms were extended in this attitude of sup- 
plication." 

We locate France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal 
and Spain in religious as well as alphabetical order by 
placing ERIN before them all in the catalogue of 
Catholicism. No other nation has suffered so much for 
conscience sake, or has been so cruelly and unjustly 
persecuted for its faith. When England and Scotland 
abandoned their ancestral faith, and espoused the cause 
of King Henry VIII, constituting himself head of the 



180 IKISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

English Church, with the design of repudiating his law- 
ful wife, Queen Catharine of Arragon, Ireland assuming 
her native chivalry, espoused the forlorn cause of the 
British Queen and persistently maintained her adherence 
to the Papacy. The whole history of Irish persecution, 
emigration, poverty and national ostracism might be said 
to have emanated from her chivalric defence of woman- 
kind and her profession of Catholicity. Allurements, 
fortified by all the subtle wiles that craft and mammon 
could devise, were held out to proselytize the insolvent 
peasantry; the hungry were bribed with beef, bread and 
broth; the naked, with blankets, breatheens and brogues. 
Cromwell, in the fever of his exterminating wrath cried 
out: "To Hell or to Connaught." But Cromwell's 
official successors, including the present Prime Minister 
of England, (Lord Salisbury), grudge the people the 
poor homes they selected in Connaught. Their cry now 
is, "To Hell or to America." Hence, ocean steamers, 
the whole year round, are laden with human freight 
from every Irish port. 

Political preferment is as difficult at present as it was 
in the days of Old King Harry. In truth, it seems as if 
" Old Harry" of another realm was the chief ruler in. 
Ireland still. 

The qualifications of an Irishman must be magnified 
by a powerful British microscope before they can be 
classified with those of an English aspirant. There are 
four qualities especially remarkable in the character of 
the Irish people, viz: Their devotion to the Blessed 
Virgin, their respect for the Priesthood, their veneration 
of St. Patrick, and their love and practice of holy purity. 
The Virgin's name and attributes are hallowed through- 
out the land; shrines and altars are everywhere dedi- 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 181 

cated to her; in every family, the female favorite is 
called after the Virgin, Mary.* Almost every house- 
hold in Ireland recite the rosary before retiring to rest 
at night; whilst young, and especially old men and 
women remain for hours on Sundays with upturned eyes 
and clasped hands, offering prayers before the image of 
the Mother of God; the itinerant mendicant always 
solicits alms in the names of Jesus and Mary; every 
paternal and maternal blessing is besought and imparted 
in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and 
the Virgin Mary. A large majority of the cathedral 
churches and convents of Ireland are named after the 
Virgin or dedicated under the auspices of some of her 
saintly attributes. 

The next characteristic feature of the Irish people, 
their respect for the Priesthood, is proverbial. Soggart 
Aroon\ is one of the most endearing expressions of the 
Celtic tongue. The proud aristocrat, the penniless 
bankrupt, rich and poor, young and old, unbosom to him 
their most secret thoughts and actions. A gentle wave 
of the Priest's hand is more efficient in suppressing 
popular tumult than a regiment of constablery. The 
Catholic who fails to respect the Priest is looked upon 
as a shoneen on the verge of apostasy. 

This respect will appear quite natural when we con- 
sider that the Priests always stood by the people and 

* "Is thy name Mary, maiden fair? 

Such should, methinks, its music be; 
. The sweetest names that mortals bear, 
Were best befitting thee. 

—0. IV. Holmes. 

\ Sagart arun (Priest dear) rendered into verse by John Lanim. 



182 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

administered to their spiritual and temporal wants even 
when their oppressors forced them to flee to the mount- 
ains, forests and caverns. "The Catholic Priests," 
writes Justin MacCarthy, "braved shame and persecu- 
tion and death in their unswerving allegiance to their 
scattered flocks." When no Catholic might open a 
school, the Priests established what were known as 
"hedge schools." By the roadside, and by the hillside, in 
ditches and behind hedges, the children of the people 
cowered about their pastors, eagerly striving to attain 
that knowledge which the harsh laws denied them. 

"The Catholic clergy," continues the same author, 
"came fearlessly to the front; many of the little bands 
of rebels who endeavored to resist their oppressors were 
led into action by the Priests; Father Michael Murphy, 
Father Philip Roche and Father John Murphy, (who 
died on the gallows), were amongst the bravest and 
ablest of the revolutionary leaders. In the preceding 
pages, we have shown where the Irish Bishops and 
Priests of the present day are amongst the most un- 
compromising promoters of the national cause. \ 

The third religious feature of the Irish character, the 
veneration of St. Patrick, is international. 

While other nations have lost respect for their patron 
Saints, Ireland remained unchanged. Although St. 

\ Mr. Wm, O'Brien, M. P., in a speech delivered at Naul, Co. 
Dublin, (Feb. 6. 1890) said: — I will ask your leave to say one word 
in support of the vote of thanks to your soggarth aroon, Father Dun- 
phy. I must say that his pleasant face here to-day has made me for- 
get that the sun is not shining (laughter) There is no 

nobler chapter in Irish history than the union of priests and people 
(cheers). They fought together in hard times and they won together. 
We fight together now, and we will win together too (loud cheers). 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 183 

James is the Apostle of Spain, yet meet with a Spaniard 
in any country on St. James' day, his step is not more 
elastic, his eye is not brighter than usual— he fails to 
celebrate his national feast ; for him, it is an ordinary 
day. Saints Peter and Paul are the Patrons of Rome, 
where they received the palm of martyrdom ; yet the 
Roman laity do not solemnize their national feast-day 
(29th June). St. Remi baptized Clovis, the founder of 
the Frankish monarchy ; yet there are thousands of 
Frenchmen who do not know the name of their national 
Saint. 

But Ireland, with a chronicle of heroic deeds sufficient 
to illuminate the brighest pages of Continental history- 
she, in the days of her bondage as in the days of her 
freedom, will recognize no other national feast besides 
St. Patrick's. It is a holiday of obligation throughout 
the entire island. On this day, Ireland's sons and fair 
daughters congregate at their festive reunions, not only 
in Ireland, but on the plains watered by the Yellowstone, 
the Columbia and the Nile. 

The fourth and chief characteristic feature of the Irish 
nation is the acknowledged purity of its people. 

It is a significant fact, indicative of Irish purity, that 
children born of wedlock in Ireland out-number those 
of any other European country. 

The statistics of illegitimacy and abortion in England, 
Scotland, Germany and France are disreputable com- 
pared with the isolated cases reported for Ireland ; 
whilst divorce statistics are still more divergent. 

The State of Maine, U. S., (in 1882), with a popula- 
tion of 660,000, reported 587 divorces ; whilst Ireland, 



184 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

having in the same year a population of 5,340,000, re- 
corded but six divorces.* 

In Warner's History of Ireland (Book I., c. 10), we 
read that a princely-born young lady, adorned with jew- 
els and costly raiment, undertook alone a journey from 
one end of the kingdom to the other. f This event has 
been versified by the poet Moore : 

' ' Rich and rare were the gems she wore 
And a bright gold ring on her wand she bore; 
But Oh! her beauty was far beyond 
Her sparkling gems and snow-white wand. 

Lady, dost thou not fear to stray 
Through this lone and bleak way? 
Are Erin's sons so good or so cold 
As not to be tempted by woman or gold ? 

Sir Knight, I feel not the least alarm; 
No son of Erin will offer me harm; 
For altho' they love woman and golden store, 
Sir Knight, they love honor and virtue more. 

On she went, and her maiden smile 
In safety lighted her 'round the Green Isle, 
And blessed forever was she who relied 
On Erin's honor and Erin's pride." 

* The historian Winterer, in his book on German Socialism fur- 
nishes the following statistics: — 

In 1882 there were 22 divorces for every 10,000 marriages in Eng- 
land. 

In 1882 there were 35 divorces for every 10,000 marriages in 
Germany. 

In 1882 there were 75 divorces for eVery 10,000 marriages in France. 

In 1882 there were 3 divorces for every 10,000 marriages in Ireland. 

Illinois records 32,360 divorces in 20 years, or one divorce for every 
nine marriages Maine, one divorce for every ten marriages; New 
Hampshire, one in eleven; Rhode Island, one in ten; Vermont, one 
in ten. If the Catholics in these States were excluded, the propor- 
tion would be much greater. 

f This event took place during the reign of Brian Boru, (1001 
A. D). 



CONCLUSION. 



1T/E are pleased to affirm that the present agrarian 
VV and political aspect of Ireland is most encourag- 
ing, and to predict that the country will never again be 
reduced to its former serfdom. In the language of Dr. 
MacCarthy, (Bishop of Cloyne-), "The time for the 
high-handed exercise of landlord power has now happily 
passed away — and passed away, never to return." 
Whilst the Irish Episcopate and Clergy are unanimous 
with the laity in their demands for Home Rule, the 
English and Scotch people were never so favorably dis- 
posed. Not only the Irish Representatives, but the en- 
tire Liberal party, including some of the leading minds 
of the British Empire, advocate autonomy for Ireland.* 
It is an unfounded aspersion to assert or insinuate 
that the Irsh are naturally disunited or disloyal. It is 
true, they are indisposed, or if you will call it disloyal, 
towards the alleged " Union "that has robbed them of 
their lands, language and liberty. In every country, the 
Irish are law-abiding and benevolent citizens. f No 

* In 1887, out of a total of 670 members of the House of Com- 
mons, 313 were in favor of Home Rule. 

f American history relates that Lord Howe, the English Admiral, 
attempted to bribe an Irishman, Commodore John Barry (the father 
of the American Navy). He offered him 15,000 guineas and the 
command of a British ship if he would desert and join the English 
forces. He boldly replied:—" I would not for the value or command 
of the whole British Navy, abandon the cause of my country." 



186 IRISH* SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

other nation of the globe has a right to adjudicate this 
question before America, as no other rules such a 
mighty body of our countrymen. On the other side of 
the Atlantic, we only see the little island of old Ireland 
with a sparse population, coerced and oppressed by 
vicious laws and rapacious landlords ; but here, we have 
the great continent of young Ireland with more than 
ten million inhabitants, vigorous, prosperous and free. 

Our harbors are, as they have ever been, open to wel- 
come the Exile of Erin. 

Throughout the extent of this mighty continent, in 
the forests and prairies, as well as on the cultivated 
banks of the Mississippi, Ohio and Hudson are erected 
the prosperous homes of those whose infant forms were 
baptized in the crystal waters of the Shannon, the Lee, 
the Liffey and the Avoca ; or whose agile limbs sported 
on the mossy banks of the Barrow, the Nore, the Bann 
and the Suir. America sympathizes with the old land 
of the Celts ; whilst she blushes at her misdeeds and 
winces at her oppression, she smiles at her success and 
her forbearance. 

Ever since the days of the revolution, Irish records 
are interwoven with American history ; Irish heads and 
hands were devoted to the service of our Government, 
Army and Navy. Irishmen fought for America in her 
darkest hours, struggled with her in her political, physi- 
cal and financial embarrassments, and the bones of her 
bravest sons, named and nameless, repose in her most 
blood-stained battlefields. Hence, at all times, but 
more especially at the present, American sentiment up- 
holds the Irish cause. Not only tens of thousands, but 
millions and tens of millions of the dauntless sons and 
fair daughters of young America yearn and pray for 



IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 187 

Ireland's prosperity. And should Ireland obtain Home 
Rule and her green flag be raised once again from the 
Saxon dust, a mighty shout of joy would resound 
throughout our broad States and Territories, so loud 
and thrilling that it would almost be heard in old Ire- 
land itself. 

As the first American flag was wrought by the fair 
hands of an Irish-American lady, so in every State of 
this glorious and prosperous country are maidens anxious 
to weave another liberty banner emblazoned with the 
Sun-burst, Harp and Shamrock. 

We hope and pray that the day may not be far distant 
when the Green Flag shall proudly float over the Par- 
liament House and Legislative Halls of our native land. 

ERIN MY COUNTRY. 

"Dear Erin my country, with rapture I love thee, 
And deep are my longings to see thee once more; 
No land in this green-covered earth is above thee; 
No coast can compare with thy sea-beaten shore. 

Thy greenest of bosoms, I'd make my last pillow, 

On thy silken-moss'd banks weave a chaplet of green; 

To garland my temple and sleep 'neath the willow 
That grows by the cot where I took my first being. 

Thy Shamrock, than Emerald is greener and dearer, 
And sparkling like diamonds, the rivers unfold; 

No skies to my vision are lovelier, clearer, 

Thy sun-lighted mountains look richer than gold. 

In spirit I roam o'er thy hoary-peaked mountains, 
And watch the gay lark pour his song to the skies, 

And wander 'mid streamlet or rippling fountain 
'Till memory comes rushing with rain to my eyes. 



188 IRISH SCENERY, MINSTRELSY AND CHARACTER. 

Again, the rich sunlight makes sport with thy waters, 
And pay back its glances with bright winning smiles; 

Thy valorous sons, and thy beautiful daughters 

Proclaim thee their goddess, the Queen of the Isles." 




k 



